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HISTORY 



OF THE 



TOWN OF FRANKLIN, 

MASS.; 

FROM ITS SETTLEMENT TO THE COMPLETION OF 
ITS FIRST CENTURY, 

2d March, 18T8; 



GjNEALOGICAL NOTICES OF ITS EARLIEST FAMILIES, SKETCHES 

*^fP/ ITS Professional Men, and a Report of 
''^^is^HE Centennial Celebration. 

LIBRAK^ f 'Vi. 

«.,»«, ^S. ^Qc- 

^^'^^^^^ By MOIITIMER BLAKE, 

Member of Old Colony Historical SocMky ; Honorary Member of New England 

HiSTORIC-GKNEALOdiCAL SOCIETY. 



FEANKLIN-, MASS. 

PUBLISHED BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN. 
1879. 



|_| 







/ 



COPYRIGHT SECURED BY THE AUTHOR. 



J. A. & E. A. Rfid, Printers, Pioridence, R. I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Please c-ontit the following eiTOi-s : 

Pairc 54, line 4th, for "has" read "had." 

" 62, " 10th, after "ha^" insen "since." 

" &1, " .ith from bottom, after "steps" insert "were. 

" 88, " l'2th, read "missionary." 

" 90, " 3d from bottom, insert "60 feet." 

" 107, " 20th, for "one" read "our." 

" 12.T, " 7th from bottom, read "headed." 

" ;87, erase lines 21-24. 

" 194, last line, erjise last clause. 

" 206, transpose 8th and 9th lines. 

" 227, la.et line, read "nannes." 



The committee were unanimous in their choice of historian — 
Rev. Mortimer Blake, D. D., of Taunton, Mass. His marked 
ability and well-known antiquarian researches, especially con- 
nected with the early history of Franklin, abundantly qualified 
him for this important work. 

Dr. Blake with some reluctance entered upon the task, which 
he would not have undertaken for any town but his own. 

At the annual town meeting, in March, 1878, the committee 
was enlarged by the addition of five members — Messrs. A. St. 
John Chambre, Henry M. Greene, James P. Ray, Paul B. Clark, 



PREFACE. 



•lud Edward A. Kaud. to assist in the aooumulating duties and 
preparations arisino- from the approach of the centennial celebra- 
tion. To the united committee Dr. Blake presented his valuable 
manuscript, Avhich, at\er examination and discussiou, was unaui- 
mouslv accepted and ordered to be printed. 

In presentino- this volume to the citizens of Frankhn and the 
public o-eneraUv, the committee feel that the reputation of the 
author as a historian and scholar is sutiicient pledge of its vtilue. 
They are coutident that it will be found to be a rare history, 
abounding in t-icts, incidents, narratives, biogi-aphy, genealogy, 
and whatever belongs to a superior town history -all enriched by 
the author's terse style and originality of thought. 



Walpo Daxiels, 

S. W. KlCHAKDSOX, 

William M. Thayee, 
William Rockwoop, 
Apix D. Salgext, 



Frasklix. December, ISTS. 



A. St. Joux Cuambke, 
11. M. GnEEXE. 
James T. Kay. 
Tail B. Clark, 
Edwakd a. Kaxp, 

Centennial Committee. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



Mr. Pkesident, the Honored Chief Magistrate of this Common- 
"WEAETH AND HIS Associates IN Office, Kinsfolk and Friends — 

Ladies and Gentlemen : A liimdred years are crowding 
to tell their tales to-day. It will not, therefore, permit much 
time for introductory salutations. We will just congratulate 
one another that we are allowed to be here, at the centennial 
epoch of this grand old town, give a welcome hand to the sons 
and daughters who have come back (some from long distances) 
to this home of their childhood, and then we will stand aside 
to let the century talk of the men and their deeds who have 
given us a town history worth commemorating. 

I must preface, however, that it was with great timidity I 
consented to be the spokesman of this hour. Living so far 
and so long from the sources of information, and crowded with 
the never-finished work of my vocation, it has only been by 
short visits and broken explorations that I have searched 
records to collate the story of this town's past. If the results 
seem meagre, please charge it — not to want of interest in the 
seeking, but to lack of time and material. And, had it not 
been for the zealous co-operation of your committee in charge 
of this celebration, and of other interested citizens, and the 
cordial responses of the town clerks into whose records the 
sources of our town history run back, and of Wrentham in 
particular, the present address would be still more meagre. 
To all who have aided in this service, let me here present my 
cordial acknowledgments. So much only will my short hour 
permit me to say for introduction. 



6 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

The life and roundness of our story have decayed in the 
lapse of time, leaving but a skeleton of dismembered facts. 
I am appointed to wire together these scattered bones and 
reclothe the framework of our past with the motor forces and 
flush of a recovered life. If I can so much as make the cen- 
tury stand before you, I shall feel amply rewarded, even if the 
countenance be lack-lustre and homely. 

The century we commemorate to-day by no means carries 
us back to the beginning of the town. To reach the forces 
which have shaped its character and history, we must go still 
further back by more than another hundred years. Seventeen 
hundred and seventy-eight was only when this town became 
of age and took her place among her sister towns. Her child- 
hood dates really from 1660, when her mother, Wrentham, 
first came to live in Wollomonopoag. But her birthday was 
close upon the beginnings of the Massachusetts colony. To 
compass, therefore, the full history of this town, we should 
confer with the original Puritan immigrants of 1630 around 
the Bay. But such a quest would cover two hundred and fifty 
years, a period that cannot be compressed within this hour's 
review. I must, therefore, content myself with the humbler 
aim of selecting what may seem to be the hinge-facts on which 
the course and character of our town history have turned. 

These facts mainly cluster about three points : First, The 
rights of the settlers to the soil ; Second, The character and 
aims of the settlers ; and Third, The subsequent development 
of their history. 

It may be of no present consequence to learn l)y what title 
these goodly farms are held ; but it is a satisfaction to know 
that our ancestors were not lawless trespassers upon their 
original Indian occupants. And the evidence lies abundant in 
the colonial charter, the laws of its courts and the purchase 
deeds of the settlers. By their Patent, the lands belonged to 
the settlers as a company and not as individuals. But they 
had the right of distribution among themselves, and they turned 
to this task with becoming gravity. As a prehminary caution, 
their court had voted (March 4, 1630) that " no man shall 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 7 

buy land of Indians without leave had of the court ; " and, as 
an immediate necessity, it votes tliat " all swamps of above 
one hundred acres he free to any freeman to fetch wood." 

But, interesting as it might be, we must not spend time 
in waiting upon this court and reporting its cautious and wise 
conclusions. A few only, which touch our present inquiry, 
will be quoted. To prevent the scattering and weakening of 
the settlers, no house shall be built above half a mile from 
the meeting-house without leave of the court. A special com- 
mittee shall set out and bound all towns and settle all bound- 
ary difficulties, and towns may divide up their own lands. As 
we listen to the debates and orders of this Court of Assist- 
ants, we gather these conclusions of their policy : None but 
freemen acceptable to the court shall have any lands ; such 
shall have lands only as companies and in masses of territory ; 
for signal service to the colony, however, single persons are 
paid in special grants of land ; all grants to companies or to 
individuals are to be set and laid out by and with the approval 
of the court. The occupants of their soil are thus to be as- 
sured friends of the colony ; and for a man to become a free- 
man and proprietor of a farm, is an endorsement of his 
goodness by the Puritan standard. 

The court, further, is particular to transfer only its own 
title to the soil. If the lands granted be subject to any Indian 
claims, these must be extinguished by the towns themselves. 
Thus, Concord is directed, in 1637, to purchase the ground 
within their limits of the Indians, and an agent is chosen in 
1638 to agree with the Indians for land in Watertown, Cam- 
bridge, and Boston. But in 1639 John Bayley is fined five 
pounds for buying land of Indians without leave. We care- 
fully note these sample acts, as vindicating the honesty of the 
Puritans towards the Indians. They are in accord with the 
general letter from the governor and council of the New Eng- 
land Company, dated Gravesend, April 17, 1629. "If any of 
the salvages Ptend right of inheritance to all or any Pt of the 
lands graunted in or patent, wee pray yo'r cndeav'r to p'rchase 
their tytle, that wee may avagde the least scruple of intrusion." 



» HISTOEY OF FRANKLIN, 

Still lingering about this venerable court of the governor 
and his assistants, our ears catch the words of an order in 
which we immediately feel an interest. The session is at New- 
towne, Sept. 2, 1635, and the order is, " that there shall be a 
plantation settled about two miles above the falls of Charles 
river, on the northeast side thereof, to have ground lying to it 
on both sides the river, both upland and meadow, to be laid 
out hereafter as the court shall direct." This must have 
something to do with Franklin, for it is on one side of Charles 
river. We drop into the session of next year, Sept. 8, 1636, 
to read on its record : " Ordered that the plantation to be set- 
tled above the falls of Charles river shall have three years' 
immunity from public charges as Concord had, to be accounted 
from the 1st of May next (i. e. 1637) ; and the name of said 
plantation is to be Deddham, to enjoy all that land on the 
southerly and easterly side of Charles river not formerly 
granted to any town or particular persons, and also to have 
five miles square on the other side of the river." The courts 
of those days followed rather than led public opinion, and we 
find, back of this large grant of territory — including now 
thirteen towns and parts of four others — the impulse of 
twenty-two solid men, ancestors, some of them, of persons 
here present.* 

Our genealogical line is Franklin, "Wrentham, Dcdham, and 
this line would be the full path of our history, starting from 
Newtowne Sept. 2, 1G35. We need not go back even so far 
as Dcdham, for others have already told its story. We will, 
however, on our way to Wrentham, look in upon Dcdham long 
enough to form some idea of our ancestral beginnings. Rev. 
John Allen, the first minister, or Michael Metcalf, the head 
selectman, can tell us their story. They described their char- 
acter in the name they have given to their town, " Content- 
ment," and in this peaceable prelude to their covenant, " We, 
whose names are hereunto subscribed, in the fear and rever- 



* These towns, following the compass, are Dedham, Needham, Natick in 
part, Dover, Sherborne in part, Medfield, Medwaj^ Bellingham mostly, Frank- 
lin, Wrentham, Norfolk, "Walpole, Foxboro in part, Norwood. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 9 

ence of our Almighty God, miituallj and severally promise 
amongst ourselves and each other, to profess and practice one 
faith according to that most perfect rule the foundation where- 
of is everlasting' love.''' Happily named, Contentment. 

8ome of the settlers, however, especially John Dwight and 
his son Timothy, John Page, and John Rogers, are not con- 
tented. They remember the old home town in England whence 
they came, and especially their minister. Rev. John Rogers, 
grandson of the proto-martyr, John ; and for love of him and 
of it they change the name of Contentment to Dedham. 

It is but a few minutes' walk along the short street east of 
the present court-house. The ninety log-houses are nearly alike, 
thatched with long grass from the meadows, each with a lad- 
der from the ground to the chimney, and standing near the 
front edge of its twelve acres ; which are dotted with stumps 
and bounded with uneven pole fences. In the rear of these 
lots are the fields or pastures, called " herd walks " or " cow- 
commons," simply cleared of timber and burnt over each 
spring under the oversight of the wood-reeves. Bounding 
the pastures outside is the virgin forest, filled with wolves 
more than dogs and hunters can keep under ; although there 
is a bounty upon their scalps, and there are regulation muskets 
from three feet nine inches to four feet three inches barrel 
length, and such noted marksmen as Sargent Ellis and Dea. 
Ephraim Wilson behind them. 

In one of these houses Michael Metcalf is keeping school 
for the year for <£20 — two-thirds part in wheat at the town or 
country rate, and the other part in corn at the said rate, to be 
kept, the record says, " at the school-house, except the wether 
be extreme to hinder, and then he is to attend at his own 
dwelling-house. The town to have the harth laid in the 
school-house forthwith, and windows made fitt, and wood for 
the fire to be laid in. In the heat of the weather, if the said 
Michael desire to make use of the meeting-house, he may do 
so, provided the house be kept clean and the windows be made 
good if broken (as if the young D wights and Fishers and 



10 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Metcalfs of that day ever threw stones!), the school to begin 
the 19th of the present month (1656) and the pay quarterly." 

In another house Michael Powall has, since 1646, kept a 
licensed ordinary, where we may find a dinner or a bed. Near 
by him, if exhausted with our toiling through the woods from 
Boston, we may find something stronger — as the selectmen 
petitioned in 1658 that, " in regard of their remoteness from 
Boston, Left. Joshua Fisher (one of their chief men) liave 
liberty to sell strong waters, to supply the necessity of such 
as shall stand in need thereof in that town." Here are the 
elements of a promising civilization ! Besides, there is Capt. 
Eleazur Lusher " impowered to marry ; " Mr. Edward Allen, 
John Kingsbury, and John Luson to " order small business 
under 20 shillings ; " John Haward constable, a barrel of gun- 
powder, a train band and a small cannon, or drake, presented 
by the colony to this now called " out towne." 

But it is drawing towards 1G60, and stories are afloat of a 
mine of some kind of metal near certain ponds, about thirteen 
miles to the westward of Dedham, which must be somewhere 
in this region. 

The people, alert for any increase of their hard-earned and 
small incomes, talk it over when they come together " in a 
lecture day," and the selectmen send out (22° 4m., 1660) four 
men " to view the lands both upland and meadow near about 
the ponds by George Indian's wigwam, and make report of 
what they find to the selectmen in the first opportunity they 
can take." Six months after, their report gives so much en- 
couragement that two other men are sent to compound with 
the Indians for their rights to the soil. 

But great enterprises like the settlement of new towns in the 
wilderness must move slowly and cautiously. For it is no 
trifling afternoon project to vacate a home, though it be just 
built of logs and thatch in a stump-covered lot, and to forsake 
companions who have worked in the fields and sat in the rude 
meeting-house together, and to start everything anew in the 
forests twenty miles of unbroken paths away. We cannot 




HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 11 

appreciate their obstacles or their hesitancies. But we do 
admire their cautious deliberations and prudent conclusions. 

Although the good people of Dedham had talked together 
of the meadows towards the west, where they had cut hay in 
1649, and of the great ponds towards the Narragansett country, 
and now especially of the mines near them, and of the report 
of the men sent to explore the western wilderness more thor- 
oughly, still when the motion was made (27th March, 1661) 
to begin a plantation and give 600 acres for its encouragement, 
some objected. But the movement had begun already. Ten 
men, at least, had gone to break ground in Wollomonopoag, 
as this region was called. As soon as they heard of this 
encouragement of the 600 acres, they claimed it as pioneers 
of the projected settlement. You will recognize their names, 
if not the persons : Anthony Fisher, Sargent Ellis, Robert 
"Ware, James Thorp, Isaac Bullard, Samuel Fisher, Samuel 
Parker, John Farrington, Ralph Freeman, and Sargent Stevens^"^ 
Some of their descendants are probably here to-day. 

But Dedham could not be in such haste. It had chosen a 
committee to attend to three things in due order : First, " to 
determine when men present themselves for entertainment 
there, who are meet to be accepted ; " Second, to " proportion ^^ 
to each man, thus accepted, his part in the 600 acres ; " Third, 
to " order the settling of the plantation in reference to situa- 
tion, highways, convenient place for a meeting-house, a lot or 
lots for church officers, w^ith such other things necessary as 
may hereafter be proposed." Yet this committee made com- 
mendable haste, for before the year 1661 closed they reported, 
and the town of Dedham adopted their boundaries and plan 
of a settlement. But now the cautiousness has shifted to the 
side of the colonists. They have some grave problems to lay 
before their townsmen before they depart into this wilderness 
of Wollomonopoag. The selectmen of Dedham, therefore, call 
a meeting of the proprietors of the town, 12th January, 1662, 
to hear these propositions. The prospective colonists say, 
through their committee, Anthony Fislier, Robert Ware, 
Richard Ellis, and Isaac Bullard, that they have secured but 



12 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

ten men, and they cannot go with so small a company — 
" they are not desirous to leave the world altogether," as they 
put it, but will go if they can " proceed in a safe way." For 
their justification, be it said, it was not Indians, nor solitude, 
nor hard work in a wilderness which they were afraid of, but 
a jeopardy of their legal rights and privileges of citizenship. 
They were not willing to enter into the wolf's den without 
good assurance that responsible hands were hold of the other 
end of the rope and would keep hold of it. 

The town of Dedham, they knew, had at a general town 
meeting already approved the setting up of a plantation at 
Wollomonopoag, and had sent two men to inquire of the Indi- 
ans about their title. But what will the proprietors of Ded- 
ham do about it? for these were two different parties. Will 
they make the way safe by paying the Indians and giving the 
lands to the venturing settlers ? The proprietors, and not the 
town, you remember, owned the lands not already granted to 
individual settlers or set apart for public use, and they, and 
not the town, must sell and give the title of their 600 acres 
to their hesitating colonists. I have not time now to report 
the discussion of this grave problem in that proprietors' meet- 
ing of 1662. But the conclusion, at a second meeting in the 
next month, 2d March, 1663, was that the proprietors could 
not advise the settlement in the present circumstances, but 
would satisfy for the necessary expense of those who had 
broken ground at Wollomonopoag. So the project seems to 
be exploded. But Timothy Dwight and Richard Ellis, the two 
agents chosen two years before, in 1660, to confer with the 
Indians, have, meanwhile, been busy in dealing with the wily 
Wompanoags, and now, in 1662, bring to the proprietors a re- 
port which gives a new aspect to the problem. 

Philip has this year succeeded, through the death of his 
father Masassoit and elder brother Alexander, to the headship 
of the tribe of the Wampanoags, and, perhaps to collect the 
means for his projected war upon the settlements, is ready to 
conclude the long negotiations for his lands. By the aid of 
Capt. Thomas Willett,one of the Plymouth commissioners, long 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 13 

skilled in Indian tactics — afterwards the first mayor of New 
York city, and whose grave lies on the banks of Bullosk's Cove 
in Seekonk — the Dedham agents have purchased and secured 
a deed of Wollomonopoag, five miles square (six says Worthing- 
ton) for £24 10s., which sum Captain Willett has advanced for 
the town out of his own pocket. This money must be repaid to 
the generous captain and the newly-bought land must supply 
the means of payment. 

The proprietors, therefore, at this same meeting of March, 
1663, vote a general dividend among themselves, both of the 
600 acres set apart for a settlement and of its price of ,£160, 
one-quarter to be paid annually. This land and its cost is 
to be divided according to each one's cow-common rights. 
There are thirty-four shares of the 600 acres and of the £160. 

These cow-common rights, so often mentioned, may require 
an explanation. The territory belonged to the proprietors as 
a company, in which each held shares in proportion to his 
property valuation. The ratio was one common right per each 
£8 of estate. The number of acres set apart for pasturage 
was in proportion to the number and needs of the cattle 
owned by the proprietors, five sheep being reckoned equal 
to one cow, and each owned such a share of this land, or so 
many cow-common rights, as one-eighth of his property valua- 
tion might express in units. The whole grant or township 
was held by the proprietors in a similar manner, and when 
five-acre, eight-acre divisions, etc., were subsequently granted 
by the proprietors, each drew five, ten, or fifteen acres of the 
common land, as the number of his common rights might be. 
For many years the business of proprietors and of inhabitants 
were transacted in common, but a colonial law in 1720 organ- 
ized the proprietary as a separate body from the town, and 
their acts disappear from the municipal records and mostly 
from our present knowledge. 

Those who have already made improvements at Wollomono- 
poag are allowed first to choose their lots. I count nine men, 
and these were presumably the first comers to Wollomonopoag 
to settle. You may recognize among them your grandfather's 



14 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

grandfatlier : Anthony Fisher, Jr., Sargt. Richard Ellis, Robert 
Ware, James Thorp, Isaac BuUard, Sanil Fisher, Sam'l Parker, 
Josh. Kent, and Job Farrington. Good Franklin names, most 
of them. To them are to be added Sam'l Sheers (the first 
actnal settler apparently), Ralph Freeman, and perhaps Daniel 
Makiah. Where these men located their lots it is not possible 
now accnrately to determine. Bnt the record says the first lot 
was " to be where the Indians have broken np land not far from 
the place intended to bnild a mill at," which was where the 
Eagle Factory now stands.* Perhaps the remaining thirty- 
three lots went southwards to the meeting-house, and thence 
westward along the two present main streets of Wrentham. 

It is now 1662, and the owners of the thirty-four lots enter 
one after another, either in person or by proxy, upon the occu- 
pation of their territory. In the next year, 1663, they lay out 
their first highway, with the sanction of the selectmen of Ded- 
ham, " at the east end of their lots." Was it the road from 
the present meeting-house of Wrentham towards Franklin ? 

The five succeeding years are laboriously spent in taming 
the native forests for fields of corn and rye, building their log- 
houses, fencing in their pastures and watching the wolves. We 
hear nothing from them but the echo of their axes against the 
big trees until 1668, when the irrepressible Indian reappears. 
It is a woman this time. What is her grievance we do not 
know ; but her absence is more desirable than her presence, 
and she herself thinks so, for at a town meeting in Dedliam, 
"where their affairs are still conducted, 4th February, 1668, Sarah 
herself is present with her son John and her brother George, and 
requests that her little farm of ten acres among the white men 
may be exchanged for a tract elsewhere. The proposal is ac- 
cepted, and they give her ten acres of upland in exchange, 
with liberty to take fencing stuff, " near a pond about two 
miles westward from the situation of the township at Wollo- 



* Sucli is tlie current interpretation; but Hon. Ezra Wilkinson, in his explo- 
rations of ancient deeds, lias concluded that this first lot was on South street, 
and that this was the first street laid out in the present Wrentham. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 15 

monopouge." From some previous allusions to George Indian, 
we suppose the ten acres quitted by Sarah were near the Eagle 
mill, and as there is no other pond "two miles westward" 
than the present Uncas pond in Franklin — on whose banks 
the almshouse farm now is — who knows but the Indian Sarah 
and her son John and brother George were the first occupants 
of our poor farm, and prophets of the Indians' coming fate ! 
But they are hardly removed to their new quarters when the 
irrepressible Philip reappears. At least, a messenger hurriedly 
comes to Dedham to say that Philip is at Wollomonopoag with 
more lands which he is anxious to sell. It is doubtful to the 
Dedhamites what claim further he has ; but, as he is a neigh- 
bor not politic to provoke in these ticklish times, Timothy 
Dwight and four others are hurried off to buy up whatever 
lands he may have to offer, " provided he can show that he has 
any." Suspicious that the six miles square he had sold did 
not cover the space between Dedham and the western line of 
Wollomonopoag, as he well might be, he claims a new-moon- 
shaped lot on its eastern side, including part of the present 
Walpole and up to the lands of Chickatabut, sachem of the 
Neponsets of Sharon, etc. This tract is also purchased, as near 
as we can ascertain, for £11 8d., and is accepted by the town 
of Dedham, 15th November, 1669. Before Dedham has done 
with these dusky peddlers of real estate it pays out at least 
£66 18s. for seven different purchases within its boundaries, 
and has seven different Indian deeds, which are connnitted to 
Dea. Aldis to be kept for the town in a box. But it came to 
pass in process of time that the deacon's children wanted the 
box for other uses, and the deeds, like so many other now in- 
valuable documents, went where other like precious papers 
have gone, and are going yet, for want of some vigilant interest 
and care. But our fathers honestly paid the price asked by 
the Indian claimants for their lands, and with somewhat better 
than the traditional peck of beans, at which nearly all towns 
are reported to have been bought ; so that they cannot be 
justly charged with wronging the natives of their soil. These 



16 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

farms are held by equitable purcliase of tlic only occupants 
who could justify any claim. 

With the lands in their possession by grant of the General 
Court and by purchase from both the natives and the proprie- 
tors of Dedham, nothing hinders our transferring ourselves to 
the young settlement, not yet named, at Wollomonopoag. 
Even "svhile signs have been thickening along the southern 
horizon, and among the Wampanoags especially, portending a 
disturbance to these pioneers, they have been pushing on their 
young enterprise. They adopt rules for the due management 
of their plantation, among which are — that each proprietor shall 
pay one shilling and sixpence per common right for the main- 
tenance of a minister ; that the choice of a minister shall be 
long to the inhabitants with the concurrence of the Dedham 
proprietors who can be easily consulted, and especially of the 
Dedham minister. Rev. John Allin, the ruling Elder, John 
Hunting, Eleazer Lusher, the head man in civil affairs ; and 
that a tax of two shillings per common right be paid towards 
a convenient meeting-house, of which John Thurston, Robert 
Ware, and Sargent Fuller are to be the building committee. 
The ministerial candidate seems to have been already selected, 
for within twenty-five days, 27th December, 1669, Mr. Samuel 
Man is invited and the choice approved by the Dedham ad- 
visers. But the hindrances to his acceptance are many, and 
time slips along for three years and more, so filled with other 
most urgent business, not the least of which is watching the 
Wampanoags, before the full arrangements are completed. Mr. 
Man's answer, in the lltli month of 1672, that he accepts 
their propositions " in case they be performed within the space 
of a year and a half," hints at some dilatoriness possible on 
the part of the settlers. But they are hurrying as fast, no 
doubt, as those rugged times will permit. Anxious, may be, 
to secure this young Harvard graduate, within a year after his 
call, a petition for incorporation as a town is presented to the 
General Court, and is, with astonishing promptness, granted 
on the same day, l6th October, 1673 ; and that too, when, on 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 17 

Rev. Mr. Bean's testimony, there are only sixteen families in 
the settlement.* 

But while these few families are getting themselves into 
comfortable order, building a grist-mill, securing a blacksmith, 
etc., the conspiracy of Philip is also ripening, and within three 
years his bands of warriors dash upon the frontier towns all 
along the line from Swansey to Hadley. At first their ravages 
are at the south and along the Connecticut valley. But the 
smoke of their presence draws nearer and nearer. Hardly 
have the flames died down in Lancaster before the sky over 
Medfield is thick with smoke. Wrentham lies next in their 
path, and only ten days, from the 10th to the 21st of February, 
1675, 0. S., between the burning of Lancaster and Medfield ! 
In a week the Indians will be here. Speedily are the goods 
packed and sent with the wives and children back to Dedham, 
and by 30th March the deserted houses are left to their fate. 
A band of the Xarragansetts, returning from Medfield, set fire 
to the empty dwellings and burn, tradition says, all but two. 
It was a vengeful act, perhaps in response to an unexpected 
encounter which they had met with at Indian Rock, less than 
five hundred rods from this spot. 

The traditions of this encounter vary, but the essential facts 
are that a man named Rocket, in search of a horse lost in the 
woods, found instead a trail of forty-two Indians, which he 
cautiously followed until night, when he saw them fairly laid 
down to sleep. He hastened back to the settlement, mustered 
a dozen resolute men under Capt. Robert (?) Ware, and before 
daylight the little band was posted within eyesight of the 
sleeping savages and ready to salute them as soon as they 
awaked. It was a sharp and anxious watch, for the Indians 
were more than two to one of the Wrenthamites. Between 
daylight and sunrise the Indians arose almost together, when, 
at a preconcerted signal, each waiting musket sent its bullet 
to its mark. The suddenness of the attack so confused the 



*But the records of the General Court show the incorporation to have been 
consummated upon the 17th. See records, Vol. iv., pt. ii., p. 569. 



18 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Indians who escaped the first shot that they rushed and leajxjd 
down a steep precipice of the rock ; where they, maimed and 
lamed by the fall, became speedily victims to the quick and 
steady aim of the whites. One or two only escaped to tell the 
fate of their comrades. Rocket is said to have received an 
annual pension from the General Court for his prompt and 
skillful action. 

In 1823, the Fourth of July was celebrated on Indian Rock, 
by an oration from Dr. John G. Metcalf, a dinner, etc., when 
earnest talk was had of some commemorative monument on 
the spot. But a visit there a few days ago showed me only the 
names of the originators of that celebration deeply engraven 
in the rock and distinctly legible after over fifty years of frosts 
and storms : " W. Levering, D. C. Fisher, H. N. Gridley, J. G. 
Metcalf, W. B. \Yright." These are flanked here and there 
by half a score of initials of later dates. But Indian Rock still 
lifts itself its own monument, solitary as ever, above the trees, 
and gives the visitor one of the finest views, from the Milton 
Hills to Wachusett, which this town affords. Pity that the 
path which once led to it were not again made passable, for 
few jaunts would be more pleasurable and so near the village. 

But we must hasten after the departed colonists. Many are 
the meetings and discussions held u})on the question of return, 
pivoting mostly upon the number willing to go back with them, 
and especially upon the company of their young minister, Mr. 
Man, not yet settled over them. Meanwhile they keep up 
their organization and choose their officers annually while 
these questions are settling. The spirit in which they dis- 
cussed the position of their affairs finds illustration in their 
answer to the vote of the proprietors that they rebuild again. 
It is dated 8th January, 1677 : — 

We whose names are beneath subscribed having formerly 
had our recidance in Wollomonopouge but by thos sad and 
soUame dispensations of God's providences were Removed, 
yet desire a Work for the Honnour of God and the Good and 
comfort of ourselves and ours might be again Ingaged and 
Promotted att that place : Therefore our purpose is to returne 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 19 

thither God willing — But knowing our owne Inability for so 
Great and Waytie a worke, both in Respecte of our Insuffi- 
ciency for the carrying on of new plantation worke, and the 
dangers that may yett be reanewed upon us by the heathen 
breaking out on us ; thinke it not safe for us to returne alone 
except other of the proprietors joyne to Go up along with us 
or Send Inhabitants to ingage in that worke with us. 
Subscribed by 

Elezeare Metcalf, William Macknah, Samuel Man, 

Daniels Hawes, Elizear Gay, Cornelius Fisher, 

Daniels Wight, John Payne, Joseph Kingsbury, 

Kobert Ware, Benjamin Kockett, John Ware, 

John Aldis, Nath Ware, Michell Willson, 

Samuel Fisher, James Mossman, Samuelle Sheers. 

As a result of this vote we find them returned to Wrent- 
ham and so far re-established as to hold a general meeting 
in their rebuilt meeting-house in 1685, at which date a lot of 
from twenty t© twenty-five acres is granted for a school, and 
leave is given to several persons to put in a gallery into the 
meeting-house. 

We infer that the children have grown somewhat large 
and saucy, too, from living in Dedham, for two men had al- 
ready, in 1684, been chosen to keep the boys from playing on 
the Sabbath " in time of exercise." They send also a peti- 
tion to the General Court for permission to choose their own 
selectmen, like other towns, and to manage their own affairs 
without consulting the court's committee — the latter, they 
say, being now difficult to get at, and besides, in their plain 
language, crazy and infirm in body. This petition is granted, 
and also a committee is ordered to lay a road between Wrent- 
liam and Medfield. This road is that now crossing Charles 
river at Rockville in East Medway, and along which road the 
Medfield people spread themselves into Franklin and became 
the earliest settlers of its territory. 

But there is not time now to tell the several steps by which 
the little child in this wilderness of Wollomonopoag gradu- 
ally learned to walk. How John Woodcock had a bit of land 
given him close to the yet unplastered and unshingled meet- 
ing-house to put up a small refreshment-house for Sabbath 



20 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

day; how two watchmen, according to the colonial law, 
walk every night each half a mile east and west from the 
meeting-liouse to challenge stragglers and bring them before 
the magistrate next morning for explanation ; of the watch- 
house to be built in 1695, or of the school-house, " so big as 
y' y'' may be a room of sixteen feet square beside convenient 
room for a chimney, where the selectmen will keep school in 
turn per week, to teach children and youth to read English 
and Wright and cypher gratis, and begin, God willing, next 
Monday ; " how town meetings are called to be held at 6 
o'clock in the morning, and that, too, in March ; and how 
Dorchester people, i. e. Foxboro, are by vote allowed to at- 
tend meeting, if they will " pay like the rest." 

But the ministerial history claims a paragraph, for the 
Christian life of our ancestry was an element in it for more 
than fifty years. 

Although Wollomonopoag was incorporated 17th October, 
1673, as the town of AYrentham, so named from the old town 
in England whence some of the families came, and although 
Samuel Man had been called the year before, yet for the 
troublous times and divers hindrances, a church had not been 
gathered nor Mr. Man settled until April 13, 1692, when ten 
members, including the minister, were covenanted together.* 

Mr. Man was son of William and Mary (larsard) Man, 
of Cambridge, born 6tli July, 1647 ; H. U. 1665, married 
Esther Ware, of Dedham, May 17, 1698, by whom he had 
seven sons and four daughters, and died May 22, 1719, in the 
forty-ninth year of his ministry. 

Within seven months Rev. Henry Messenger was settled, 
Dec. 5, 1719. Two years after, in 1721, a new and larger 
house replaced the first sanctuary, to which the fathers of 
this town resorted until their separation in 1737 into a dis- 
tinct precinct for religious purposes." 



* They were Samuel Man (master elect), John "Ware, John Guild, Benjamin 
Rockwood, Thomas Thurston, John Fairbank, John Fales, Eleazer Metcalf, 
Ephraim Pond, Samuel Fisher (first deacon). 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 21 

Mr. Messenger was born in Boston, 28th February, 1695, 
graduated at Harvard College 1719, and married 6th Janu- 
ary, 1720, Esther, daughter of Israel and Bridget Cheever, 
of Cambridge. He had seven sons and five daughters, four 
of whom became the wives of ministers. He was the second 
son of Thomas and Elizabeth Messenger, and grandson of 
Henry and Sarah Messenger from England, in 1640. He 
died 30th March, 1750, in the thirty-second year of his min- 
istry. 

The town meanwhile has increased so steadily that in 1718 
it is divided into four districts, and a school is kept three 
months in each, under a committee of three for each part — 
north, east, south and west, and in ten years thereafter the 
old school-house with its chimney is voted to be sold at auc- 
tion. 

In 1719 thirteen Wrentham families are set off by the 
General Court to Bellingham, which begets a protest and 
lawsuit over the town line. It begets, also, another move- 
ment of greater interest to us. For the overflow from 
Boggestow, or Med field, across the Charles river has been 
moving on until nineteen families — " who live remote from 
the Public Worship and cannot attend on the same without 
difficulties and hardships," petition that a separate account 
may be kept of what every person pays towards the new 
meeting-house in Wrentham proper, so that it may be repaid 
to them whenever they shall be set off into a precinct or 
parish, for building a meeting-house for themselves. With 
this petition granted, March 13, 1720, 0. S., as an anchor to 
the windward, shrewdly dropped when a new minister and 
untested is being settled, the western side of the town quietly 
wait and watch for five years longer. But, that this anchor 
may not drag for want of holding ground, tliey secure a grant 
of sixty acres to be laid out of the common lands in two par- 
cels, " in the most convenient place for these people." Some 
of the less patient spirits — John Pond and twelve others — 
getting uneasy, petition in 1725 to be set off to Medway. 
Wrentham shakes its head. Whereupon Capt. Robert Pond 
and twenty others ask that a new precinct next to Belling- 



22 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

ham and Charles river, six and a half miles by four and a 
half, may be erected. This, too, is refused ; but there is evi- 
dently some propriety in the request, for the town, at its next 
meeting, Sept. 21, 1725, choose a " committee to give in rea- 
sons why the petition of the west part to be set off should not 
be granted." In 1728, John Pond, Jr., and thirteen others 
reurge his father's request to go to Med way. It will not be 
allowed yet, and there is quiet waiting again for six years 
more. In 1734, the westerly side moves in another direction. 
It asks, modestly, if a town's committee^may not come and 
" state the place for the building of the meeting-house where 
the petitioners have agreed for the building of said meeting- 
house, being about seventy-three rods southwest from the 
house of Michal Willson ? " Nay ! Then they ask, Will the 
town build a meeting-house there, and finish it at the town's 
cost ? Nay ! much louder. Well, then, will the town pro- 
vide the west side with preaching four months in the winter 
season this present year ? Thinking of the long rides " of 
seven, eight, and nine miles," from River End and the City 
Mills in the New England snow^s for their western brethren, 
the town does give a reluctant yes, and " the selectmen agree 
with Mr. Jacob Bacon to preach four months in the westerly 
part of the town, to begin the second Sabbath in December, 
and also to keep school three months from the 1st of January 
for £42"— £34 for the preaching, and £8 for the school.* 
A similar arrangement for the next winter's preaching of 
1735-6 is made with Mr. Hezekiah Man.f 



* Mr. Bacon was the son of Thomas, grandson of John, and great-grandson 
of Michal of Dedham, 1640, who came from Ireland with a wife and four chil- 
dren, and died 1648. Jacob was born in Wrentham 9th September, 1706, gradu- 
ated at Cambridge, 1731, and settled first minister in Keene, N. H., 18th Octo- 
ber, 1738; dismissed in April, 1747, when the settlement was broken up by the 
Indians, and again settled over the third church, Plymouth, Mass., in 1749, and 
dismissed in 1776. He preached a year and a half in Carver, and then removed 
to Rowley, where he died, June, 1787, in his eighty-first year. 

t Mr. Man was born 27th October, 1707, son of William, grandson of Rev. 
Samuel Man, the first minister of Wrentham. He graduated at Cambridge, 
1731, in the same class with Mr. Bacon, and died before ordination, in 1739. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 23 

Still this compromise of a third part of a minister does not 
satisfy the west side. Perhaps a politic move may quiet it 
and, 11th March, 1735, the town vigorously sets off to Med- 
way the still persistent John Pond, Jr., and his uneasy neigh- 
bors, Thomas Bacon, Jr., Samuel Pond, Richard Puffer, 
Joseph Ellis, Peter Adams, Samuel Fisher, and James Ellis, Jr. 

But the remnant, resolute as ever, next year, in May, 1736, 
renew their petition for a separation ; to be again refused. 
The town, in August, declined even to give reasons to the 
General Court for their negative. Nor will they, in September, 
remit the west side from their ministerial taxes. But in 
December they are willing to argue the question by a com- 
mittee before the General Court, to which the w^est side have 
already applied in June, 1736, for a parish, or precinct charter, 
through Capt. Robert Pond, Eleazer Metcalf, and forty-six 
others. Such a growing list of names brings matters to a crisis. 
The General Court sends out a committee to view the premises, 
who approve of the separation in general, but refer the way 
and manner thereof to the agreement of the two sections in- 
terested. The town is to answer the petition at the next 
court session, and, therefore, a general meeting is called for 
Aug. 29, 1737, at which, after sundry complimentary where- 
ases, a consent is voted ; with the condition, however, that 
they move the dividing line " half a mile and forty rods " (so 
exact were they) further westwards. In due course of legis- 
lative action, the end is reached by the signature of Governor 
Belcher, Dec. 23, 1737, and the second precinct of Wrentham 
assumes legal existence. 

Like a cutting from the parent bulb, this dependency grows, 
in forty years, into the town of Franklin. 

The process by which the town thus severed its northern 
half into a precinct may not be uninteresting. The record 
says : — 

Whereas, Capt. Robert Pond, Eleazer Metcalf and forty- 
six others inhabitants of the western part of Wrentham pre- 
ferred a petition to the great and General Court in June A. D. 
1736 setting forth that they have preferred a petition (as 



24 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

above) praying that they may either be set off a separate 
township by the bounds following (the present town bounda- 
ries nearly); and whereas the Honorable Committee appointed 
by the General Court in last December, were ordered to re- 
pair to the westerly part of Wrentham and view the situation 
of the same and consider the circumstances of the petitioners 
and hear the parties concerned, did not report in favor of the 
prayer of the petitioners but were of oppinion that they should 
be relieved from under their hardships and difficulties they 
complain of in another way and manner than they prayed for 
in their petition Unless the inhabitants of the town of Wrent- 
ham should agree upon a method among themselves for the 
relief of their Westerly inhabitants and report the same to 
the General Court at such time as said Court should appoint 
therefor ; and whereas, the inhabitants of this town are this 
day assembled in a public town meeting appointed by the 
selectmen agreeable to the order of the General Court to know 
the mind of the town by a vote, what method they will agree 
upon to accommodate the Westerly inhabitants who preferred 
a petition to the said Court in June, 1736, setting forth the 
great difficulties, etc., the consideration whereof being recom- 
mended to this town by the said Court ; — And although it 
doth not appear to this town by any petition to the Court or 
town from the said jjctitioners that they desire any relief from 
their difficulties and hardships in any other way or manner 
than their heing set off a separate township, which the town 
has denied them and given in their reasons to the General 
Court, yet notwithstanding the inhabitants being desirous it 
may appear that they are willing to come into some method 
agreeable to reason and justice, and as far as they are able 
under their present poor circumstances to accommodate the 
said petitioners and relieve them under the hardships and dif- 
ficulties they complain of in their petition, although no proper 
steps be taken by the said petitioners on application made to 
the town therefor ; and whereas the Court ordered the Com- 
mittee's report to the first Tuesday of next fall sessions that 
so the town of Wrentham may have opportunity to accommo- 
date the matter among themselves : — 

Wherefore voted that it is the mind of the town that all 
the said petitioners with their estates, that are of that mind 
and all such other inhal)itants of this town with their estates 
as shall join with them living and lying within the bounds and 
limits following, viz. : four miles upon the Charles river from 
the North end of the line between Wrentham and Bellingham, 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



25 



and at the end of the said four miles to run a straight line to 
the middle of the length of the line between Wrentham and 
Attleboro for their East bounds, and half the length of the 
line between Wrentham and Attleboro to be their South bounds ; 
the line between Wrentham and Bellingham to be their West 
bounds ; and Charles river to be their North bounds ; be a 
separate Parish l)y themselves, and that they have leave to call 
and settle a minister among themselves and be discharged 
from paying any ministerial charges to the support of the 
ministry in the other part of the town so long as they main- 
tain preaching among themselves. 

Secondly, Or that all the petitioners within the bounds 
petitioned for by the said petitioners be a separate parish, etc., 
provided their Easterly bounds mentioned in their petition be 
set half a mile and 40 rods further westward nearer the line 
between Wrentham and Bellingham. 



The petitioners thus set off were — 



Eleazer Fisher, 
Simon Slocum, 
James New, 
Uriah Wilson, 
Edward Hall, 
Nathl. Fisher, 
Saml. Partridge, 
Daniel Maccane, 
Barucli Pond, 
Nathl. Fairbanks, 
Jonathan Wright, 
Benjamin Kockwood, 
John Richardson, 
Job Partridge, 
Thomas Rockwood, 
Robert Blake, 



John Fisher, 
David Lawrence, Jr., 
Eleazer Ware, 
Eleazer Metcalf, Jr., 
Ebenezer Lawrence, 
Michael Metcalf, 
Ebenezer Hunting, 
Daniel Haws, 
Edward Gay, 
Ichabod Pond, 
Nathl. Haws, 
David Jones, 
Leneard Fisher, 
Ebenr. Clark, 
David Lawrence, 
David Darling. 



Jr. 



John Adams, 
David Pond, 
John Failes, 
Saml. Morse, 
Daniel Thurston, 
Michael Wilson, 
Ezra Pond, 
Saml. Metcalf, 
Ebenr. Sheckelworth, 
Ebenr. Partridge, 
Thomas Man, Sen., 
John Smith, 
Robert Pond, 
Eleazer Metcalf, 
Josiah Haws, 
Joseph Whitng, 
Total, 48. 

The first warrant to organize the new precinct is issued by- 
Jonathan Ware, Justice of the Peace, and is addressed to 
Robert Pond, Daniel Haws, David Jones, Daniel Thurston, 
and John Adams, five of the freeholders. They are called 
to meet " at the house the inhabitants usually meet in for 
public worship " on the 16th of January, 1737-8, at 12 
o'clock. When they came together they found everything to 
be done anew. No church, no minister, no meeting-house ! 
They chose the necessary officers and adjourned four days for 
meditation. At the next meeting they go resolutely at their 
work. They vote X80 for preaching, and a committee to 



26 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

secure it; another committee to provide materials for a 
meeting-house in place of the small building heretofore pro- 
vided and used, to be forty feet long, thirty-one feet wide and 
twenty feet posts, towards which each may contribute his 
proportion ; and especially sent a request to Wrentham for 
that money previously paid towards its meeting-house, and 
which they had sagaciously, by a vote ten years before, se- 
cured to be repaid to them whenever they should need it for 
a like use. It amounted to £130 lis. The request was at 
first refused, but four months after granted. 

Meanwhile the steps for a church existence are going on. 
Some twenty brethren having secured letters from the mother 
church, the 16th of February, 1738, is kept " as a day of 
solemn fasting and prayer — to implore the blessing of God 
and His direction in the settling of a church and in order to 
the calling and settling of a gospel minister in said place." 
And there, in a large assembly the covenant is read and ac- 
cepted, and Rev. Mr. Baxter of Medfield, moderator, pro- 
nounces them a duly organized church of our Lord Jesus 
Christ." * Two other ministers are present, doubtless Mr. 
Messenger of Wrentham ; and Mr. Bucknam of Medway, as 
being both fraternally interested in the new church. These 
three ministers being questioned then and there by a com- 
mittee of the church, cordially commend Mr. Elias Haven, 
who has for a considerable time preached in the precinct, 
" as in some good measure qualified for the gospel ministry." 
The parish proceed immediately (March 23d) to choose Mr. 
Haven as their minister; which they do unanimously, " sixty- 
one yeas and not one scattering vote," with a salary of six 
score pounds annually by the 1st of March, old tenor, and 
" to rise and fall as the credit of money rises and falls from 
what it is this day," also with a glebe of sixty acres and 
X60 with it, or, if he prefer, £200 instead, for a settlement. 
The church at the same time agrees and formally extends a 
call on the 25th of August following. 

* For a copy of this covenant, see the Manual of the First Congregational 
Church of Franklin. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 27 

On Nov. 8, 1738, a council gathers for the installation. 
The churches invited are in Hopkinton,Wrentham, Medfield, 
Leicester, Uxbridge, and the old and new north churches in 
Boston. The audience assembles near the public meeting- 
house — not yet finished — and before the sun sets Rev. 
Elias Haven has become the first pastor of this new church. 

After nearly sixteen years of labor, often interrupted for 
months by sickness, he finally closed his painful and long 
wrestle with consumption Aug. 10, 1754, at forty years of 
age, and now rests in the old cemetery, where a still remem- 
bering town, by vote Nov. 2, 1795, forty years after his death, 
ordered gravestones to be set up, " the bigness of the stones 
with the inscription thereon to be left discretionary with a 
special committee." * The stones still stand, large and thick 
slate, and may be legible for another century. This long 
interval of forty years since Mr. Haven's death does not im- 
ply that his grave, had been all the while left without a monu- 
ment. But the burial-lot had received several fits of atten- 
tion, clearings, fencings, etc., and a late revision of it may 
have suggested that their first pastor had not been honored 
with sufficient distinction. 

Next to the pastor in a town is the meeting-house where 
his motive power is applied to the community. We must not, 
in our hasty ramble through the century, pass by the first 
meeting-house of Franklin. The building of its meeting- 
house is always a great event in a town, and an occasion of 
original projects, of vigorous debates and shrewd financier- 
ing. The first topic of discussion is a site. In 1734, the 
precinct had so far proceeded as to ask Wrentham to come 
over and look at the place they have pitched upon among 
themselves for a meeting-house " about seventy-three rods 
southwest from the house of Michael Willson." He lived 
where the old house once occupied by William Phipps stands. 
They had a committee in 1737 to secure materials, and Mr. 
Thomas Man had offered to give an acre of land to set the 
house on. They are now getting in a hurry, for the preacher 

*See Ecclesiastical History, Addenda. 



28 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

has been selected, and how can he preach without an audience- 
room ! 

It is the 7th of April, 1738. Five men are sent into a cor- 
ner " to Debate and Consider and Perfix upon a place for 
Bouilding a Meeting House on and Bring it to the Precinct 
in one hour." Meanwhile, the rest spend that hour in vot- 
ing and unvoting, until they reach an apparent finality, to set 
the house " at the most convenientest place on that acre of 
Land That was laid out By Thomas Man for the use of the 
West Inhabitants in said Precinct." But who shall decide 
where this " most convenientest place " is ? Mr. Plimpton, 
" survair " of Medfield, is selected to bring his implements to 
bear on the solution ; who reports for the west corner of Man's 
lot, " as near as they conveniently can." But next year. 
May 9, 1739, a new question arises, whether this be in the 
exact center of the precinct, and a new surveyor is called to 
tJiis problem. He and his two chainmen are put under oath 
to honestly survey the ground where the meeting-house must 
shortly lie. 

May 23 he reports in writing as follows : — 

To the Inhabitants of Wrentham Westerly Precinct, 
Gent' : These may Inform you that I the Subscriber Have 
Been and Measured to find the Center of s"* Precinct, Mess\ 
Decon Barber and Benj. Rock wood being chainmen, and ac- 
cording to what we find by Measuring on the Ground from 
the Northerly End to the Southerly End, and from the West- 
erly Side to the Eastel'I^^^cl^ of the Same I find the Center 
of s Measuring to be South westerly from the Present Meet- 
ing house a little Beter then an Hundred Rods, where we 
Pitched a Stake and Made an heap of Stones. 

Eleazer Fisher, Surveyor. 

He was of Dedham, the chainmen were of Medway. 

This central pivot of the whole parish having been scien- 
tifically determined, which is said to have been in the middle 
of Darius Morse's mud-pond, at a cost of <£11 2s., they order 
the committee to " hire workmen instantly, and raise, cover, 
inclose, and glaze the meeting-house, lay the lower floor and 
cover with boards and shingles," and vote £200 towards the 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 29 

cost. This summer of 1739 sees the barn-like building arise, 
and in September another committee are putting in the seats 
according to the timber provided, and " one lock and key, 
and bolts and latches for the doors and cants " for the gallery 
stairs, and also foundation for the pulpit and the pulpit stairs, 
and rails round the galleries and make five "pillows," — a 
small number for a modern audience. The bills, presented 3d 
March, 1740, show that the committees had been reasonably 
expeditious. The final cost was £338 13s. 6d., as reported 
in October, 1741. The boys, too, were promptly at work, for 
in July, 1740, Captain Fairbanks is directed to get the win- 
dows mended and to prosecute the depredators. 

Pari passu with tlie meeting-house arose the horse houses, 
whose long strings of successors afterwards made the Frank- 
lin Common so famous. They were all planted and grew on 
Thomas Man's acre. Among them were Richard Puffer's 
" small diner house," and Isaac Heton and Dr. Jones had a 
"small noon house." 

With the sanctuary finished — with a pew on each side of 
the pulpit, a deacon's seat in front and long benches filling 
the rest of the house — next comes the ticklish question of 
seating the audience. Gravely a special committee count 
the years and measure the tax-bills of the fathers, and so as- 
sign their places " according to age and estate," as they 
were instructed. Some wish to build pews at their own ex- 
pense, but the precinct resolutely refuses assent. The place 
and not the kind of seat is sufficient graduation ; for the 
straight bench is the throne of democracy. 

Of this oldest real meeting-house no sketch, or picture, or 
ideal survives, save that I remember to have seen some of its 
windoivs in an old house. The sashes were two feet square, 
with five-inch panes of glass set diagonally in lead, as the fash- 
ion then was. The meeting-house stood on the slight hill 
north of the present Catholic church, in a surrounding girth 
of pitch pines. It was guarded by platoons of horse-sheds 
and small dinner-houses, where the forefathers of the hamlet 



30 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

shared their lunch and the mothers nursed their infants in 
the hour's intermission of the Sabbatli noons. 

This house was subjected to occasional modifications as 
the congregation increased and the taste changed. The ob- 
jection to pews yielded gradually. In 1755, Capt. John 
Goldsbury is allowed " to build a small pew joining to the 
pew left of the pulpit, at his own charge," and it is liked so 
well that in March following they vote to alter the meeting- 
house generally, building seats along the front of the galle- 
ries, convenient for men to sit on, and also hind seats in the 
galleries. The seats under the galleries are converted into 
pew-lots, and " such men as it may fall to by lot in order of 
age and estate may build there if they will, provided if they 
leave town the pew shall revert to the precinct." The meet- 
ing-house, however, is gradually aging in spite of repairs and 
frequent mendings of broken windows. But Michael Willson, 
the first sexton, keeps it as tidily as he can until Uriah Will- 
son (his son) takes the broom, with occasional respite from 
Joshua Daniels, Jonathan Archer, and Elisha Partridge, un- 
til the ancient sanctuary is left to sleep undisturbed in its 
dust on its little hill. For the precinct, getting ready now 
to emerge into a township, begins to plan about the freedom- 
suit of a new meeting-house to wear on assuming its coming 
dignity of a town. 

But before we quite leave the old sanctuary, we must step 
within long enough to listen to what was called the old way 
of singing. We take up one of the few books — an " Old 
Bay Psalm book," which has been used since 1640 in all the 
churches in the colon3^ The eight tunes at the end are from 
Ravenscroft's collection of 1618. The chorister starts the 
tune with his pitch pipe. The congregation follow, each in 
his own fashion and at his own pace, according to the old 
style in which his grandmother sang the tune in Wrentham 
or Dedham half a century ago. All sing the same part with 
an energy begotten of facing northeasters and felling forest 
trees and driving strings of oxen among their stumps. No 
two persons sing alike, and the singing consequently sounds, 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 31 

as Rev. Thomas Walter said, " like five hundred different 
tiines roared out at the same time."* In one sense it is like 
the voice of many waters, and this is called the old way of 
singing. 

It had already become a grievance to tlie ministers who 
wished to make melody in their hearts unto the Lord, and 
strenuous efforts had been begun to bring the people back to 
some harmony of voice, as well as of sentiment. Hence we 
appreciate this emphatic vote of the precinct June 26, 1738, 
immediately after the gathering of the young church, viz. : — 
" To sing no other tunes than are Pricked Down in our for- 
mer Psalm Books wliich were Printed between Thirty and 
forty years Agoe, and To Sing Them as They are Prickt 
down in them as Near as they can." This was a Precinct 
blow at the old way of singing. The older people remon- 
strated ; but the Precinct refused, in September, " to ease 
those that were inclined to sing the old way." The church, 
March 8, 1738-9, voted not to sing in the old w^ay, but by 
rule, i. e., according to note ; and they chose Josepli Whiting 
to set the tune in the church. This action of the churcli, so 
curiously put in the negative form, has a key to its signifi- 
cance in a solemn query raised, the record says, " toward the 
close" of the meeting. As it proved the seed of a large and 
slow harvest it claims mention. The query is, "to see what 
notice the churcli will take of one of the brethren's strikins; 
into a pitch of the tune unusually raised February 18th." 
After considerable consultation, the record says, and there 
well might be, for it was like the spot of Paul's shipwreck, 
the place where two seas met, it was voted : — 

Whereas, our brother David Pond, as several of our 
brethren, viz.: David Jones, Ebenezer Hunting, Benjamin 
Rockwood, Jr., Aaron Haws, and Michael Metcalf apprehend, 
struck into a pitch of the tune on February 18th, in the pub- 
lic worship in the forenoon, raised above what was set ; after 
most of the congregation, as is thouglit, kept the pitch for 
three lines, and after our pastor had desired them that had 

* Hood's History of Music in N. E., p. 84. 



32 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

raised it to fall to the pitch that was set to be suitable, 
decent, or to that purpose ; the question was put, whether 
the church apprehends this our brother David Pond's so do- 
ing to be disorderly ; and it passed in the affirmative, and 
David Pond is suspended until satisfaction is given. 

But David Pond was frozen over by this cooling of his 
high musical ardor, nor would he be thawed into any melting 
confession. Though the church sent the tender of a refer- 
ence, he would not meet them. They invite him to a special 
prayer meeting, but he will not bend. They Vote a solemn 
admonition. He proposes a council ; tliat declined he calls 
an ex-parte council, which is not acknowledged. Then he 
o-oes into the second church in Medway, which asks questions 
about his case and gets a distinct letter in reply, which is 
followed by a second and more emphatic about harboring 
malcontents, and a third, too, with replies from Medway — 
all unsatisfactory. At last, in September, 1751, over thir- 
teen years after that high pitching of the tune, the warmth 
of a continuous interest melts the icy barriers, and this Pond 
flows forth in a confession (12th January, 1751-2) and the 
Medway church joins in sundry acknowledgments (14th 
February, 1752), and thus the discord is brought down to 
concert pitch again and the hymn flows on. 

But those longings for singing the old way were not con- 
fined to one sturdy pro-advocate. The battlefield was staked 
out at once (May 18, 1739) by a vote of the church, " that 
the man that tunes the Psalm in the congregation be limited 
till further direction to some particular tunes, and the tunes 
limited are Canterbury, London, Windsor, St. David's, Cam- 
bridge, Short 100th and 148th Psalm tunes, and Benjamin 
Rock wood, Jr., to tune the Psalm." A movement, 30th of 
January, 1715, to enlarge this musical area was promptly re- 
pelled. They will have only a moderate new way, even 
though when Benjamin Rockwood cannot sing for the fail- 
ure of his voice, and they choose Jabez Fisher in his place, 
he declines because the catalogue of tunes is too short for 
him to enter among them. But this refusal begets thought; 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



83 



and four years' practice has so worn out the eight permitted 
notes that (April 5, 1749) the church takes off the limitation. 
They also dismiss Joseph Whiting as chorister and put his 
pitch-pipe into the mouth of Barnabas Metcalf. With an un- 
limited range for tunes, the hymn now goes along like a flow- 
ing brook, and — 

" Chatters over stony ways 
In little sharps and trebles " 

for aught I know until this day. 

Meanwhile both church and precinct have another anxious 
care on hand. Their pastor's health has been failing, and 
with tender helpfulness they have eased his waning strength 
of pulpit labors by generous contributions, until his decease 
in 1744.* Now comes that most trying experience of hearing 
candidates to select a successor. For the modern expedient 
of a make-believe, acting pastor has not occurred to them, 
and they sit patiently down to hear and scrutinize whomever 
the precinct may bring before them. In succession come 
Aaron Putnam, Jason Haven, Stephen Holmes, Thomas 
Brooks, Mr. Norton, Joseph Manning whom they ask to stay, 
but he declines ; Messrs. Parsons, Goodhue, Phillips Payson, 
who declines their call ; Jesse Root, Nathan Holt, who will 
not tarry though invited ; John Eals, Mr. Gregory, and Caleb 
Barnam. He, the fourteenth, is besought by 102 votes to 
bring their uncertainty to an end, and ^133 settlement and 
X7o''salary are laid before him as a temptation. After some 
months of deliberation he accepts, and, June 4, 1760, the 
second minister of this precinct is settled by the elders and 
messengers of the churches in Danbury, Ct., the two in 
Medway, in Attleboro, Wrentham, Walpole, two in Mendon 

and Upton. * t? f 

The exercises were : Introductory prayer by Rev. A. i^rost, 
of Second Church, Mendon (now Milford) ; sermon by Rev. 
Phillips Payson, of Walpole ; installing prayer by Rev. Nathan 
Bucknam, of First Church, Medway; charge by Rev. Joseph 

* For further notice of Rev. Mr. Haven see Ecclesiastical History. 
3 



34 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Dorr, of Mendon ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Joseph 
Bean, of Wrentham. 

The church had voted " to conduct themselves agreeable 
to the sentiments and advice of the Convention of Ministers 
of this Province in a paper printed June, 1759, for the 
Reformation of Disorders on the Days of Ordination of Min- 
isters." 

Mr. Barnam's pastorate lasted less than eight years. He 
was dismissed March 6, 1768, and was resettled in Taunton, 
whence he went as chaplain into the Continental army and 
died of the camp disease at Pittsfield, Aug. 23, 1776. But 
his brief pastorate in Franklin was full of incidents, debates 
and differences — not the least among them being the war of 
the hymn books. 

This may have arisen with the subsidence of the pastoral 
problem. But come it did even before the ordination, in the 
guise of two church votes April 15, 1760, first to sing Dr. 
Watts' version of the psalms, and second, " the pastor may not 
refuse to lead the church to vote as above mentioned." There 
is to be no Connecticut Consociationism in this church ; and to 
settle it they vote, " when any member wants to bring up a 
business which the pastor thinks improper, if he cannot satisfy 
the person, he 'sliall bring it to the church, and they shall 
decide whether to appoint a hearing." Such a vote indicates 
that the sides are forming for a fight over the new hymn 
book. As nearly as we can read the banners in the smoke of 
the conflict, there are three parties in the field — Old Bay 
psalm book, Tate and Brady's version, and Dr. Watt's ver- 
sion. Between them the conflict wavers with varying sign. 
Dec. 10, 1761, the church vote to " sing Tate and Brady's ver- 
sion, together with the hymns bound in the same volume, till 
1st of March next." (This was the new edition of 1741). 
April 28, this time is prolonged indefinitely. But on the 2l8t 
of June comes this volley from the parish : — 

Voted, that the parish make use of that version of the 
psalms in their public worship on the Lord's day and at other 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 36 

times as occasion shall require (no surreptitious uses), which 
was made use of in this place, before the Rev. Mr. Barnam 
had liis invitation to settle with this people ; commonly called 
the old version of the psalms composed for the use and ben- 
efit of the congregations of New England. 

The clerk is instructed to wait upon Mr. Barnam with this 
vote, desiring that he will adhere to and conform with it. 
Nine days after, June 30, the church replies by a vote to give 
the parish the choice of Watts, Tate and Brady, or a council. 
September 6, the parish refuses eitlier. Nov. 28, 1763, about a 
jear after this refusal, the church sends, as a flag of truce, 
the acceptance of a council to sit on this edge of dispute, com- 
posed of the Medway first, Wrentham and Mendon second 
churches, if the parish will pay the expenses ; which the par- 
ish accepts December 26, with this sharp definition of the 
points in arbitration — whether to sing Dr. Watts' version of 
the psalms, or Tate and Brady's version, together witli the 
hymns bound with them. The Old Bay psalm book appears to 
have withdrawn, disabled, from the field. April 17, 1764, 
the council meets, in which the two churches in Medway, in 
Walpole, Sutton, Wrentham and Milford are represented by 
six pastors and ten delegates ; which council after sharp re- 
proof s to each side, advises them to sing the version of Dr. 
Watts in part, together with our New England version in 
part. Thus the hymn books are relegated to the arena to en- 
dure the working of the law of " the survival of the fittest." 

The church muses upon this result from April until No- 
vember, and then asks the council to come together again and 
-explain their meaning. They re-meet in June, expound, and 
tJic church accepts the exposition on the 4th of July, 1765, 
by a vote of forty-eight to fifteen, just eleven years before 
the Declaration of our National Independence. Some of the 
parish, still in the fog, try to revive the issue in their meet- 
ing of January next, but the parish will not open it; and, so 
far as appears, it has remained practically shut unto the pres- 
ent day. Dr. Watts having had the field for nearly ninety 



36 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

years, until the Puritan hymn book, born in Mendon Asso- 
ciation, crowded him onto the shelf of antiques. 

We are now, in our hasty trip down the past, coming into 
the outer edge of the storm-cloud of the Revolution. Rest- 
lessness is everywhere — in church and in state, in town and 
in country. This western precinct is full of uneasiness and 
debate, to which we cannot stop to listen. But the people 
are not disposed to neglect home interests, although the 
French and Indian wars, the depopulation of Acadia and the 
encroachments of the British crown appeal so earnestly to 
their attention. They have not forgotten the hymn which 
they learned at their mother's knee — 

"Whatever brawls disturb the street 
There should be peace at home; 
Where sisters dwell and brothers meet 
Quarrels should never come," 

and therefore they set themselves to composing their disturb- 
ances from the hymn book war, the complaints against the 
ministry and other ecclesiastical differences which have been 
developed thereby. It is a troublous time, but there are he- 
roic men to control it, and they set themselves down to the 
difficult problem. 

First of all, the empty pulpit must be filled with a pastor. 
The committee present one preacher after another, some of 
whom fail to meet with favor, and some are called, but — 
such is the discouraging aspect of things — decline the invi- 
tation. Of those so called are, Mr. Elijah Fitch, but he went 
to Hopkinton ; Mr. Nathan Perkins, but he chose West Hart- 
ford, Ct. Disheartened by these failures, they ponder if the 
meeting-house — now, in 1770, over thirty years old and too 
small for the large congregation, as well as antique in fash- 
ion — may not be a hindrance to their success, by indicating 
a spiritual negligence. The result is that in 1772, February 3, 
they detail five men " to consult upon the Conveniences and 
111 Conveniences of Enlarging and Repairing their meeting- 
house, and to Draw a plan thereof and report." 



•HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



B7 



The result is that at the meeting of the parish on March 9, 
they vote " to Build a new meeting-house so Soon as it may 
be effected with Common Prudence and the circumstances of 
the people," and send out five men to search for that mova- 
ble north pole of the congregation — " the Senter of the pre- 
cinct." These five failing to find it, in April fifteen men, 
more sharp-eyed, perhaps, are delegated to help them. 
Twenty such men as Franklin can furnish (so quick at this 
time to detect theological differences and measure metres) 
will hardly miss the precise point, though the search may take 
all summer. September 7, they report the most commodious 
place to be "about eighty rods southerly from where the 
meeting-house now stands, between the two roads leading 
from the meeting-house to Mr. Pond's and the burying- 
ground." This report is accepted, and a committee is chosen 
to see on what terms the land can be bought and convenient 
roads obtained to the new site. 

While this question of a new meeting-house is thus favor- 
ably progressing, a small young man with a thin voice has 
been bashfully essaying to fill the pulpit in the old house on 
the hill. He came from Yale College in 1767, and has, since 
^his approbation as a minister in October, 1769, been preach- 
ing in New York State and in New Hampshire. He has de- 
clined a call to settle in Campton, N. H., and may be else- 
where, because he feels himself " a speckled bird " for his 
positive opinions. But somehow the committee of supply 
have heard of him and ask him to occupy their vacant pul- 
pit. He, too, has heard of the second precinct in Wrentham, 
and that it contains two very vigorous and })ellicose parties. 
He cannot hope, as he afterwards said, that " nobody but little 
Nat Emmons" can unite tliem. 

But the night before he reaches town, he dreams that while 
riding along he sees a quail start out from the bushes on the 
right side, and anon another quail venture from the left side 
of the way. Thinking, What if I can catch both of them, he 
creeps softly towards them with his three-cornered hat in his 



38 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

hand and claps it successfully over both.* Encouraged 
by this omen, for he always preferred to see the new moon, 
over his right shoulder, he comes one Saturday night to 
this bellicose parish, and on Sunday morning into its little 
meeting-house among the pines, wondering where a con- 
gregation is to come from when hardly a liouse is in sight. 
But when they gather on foot and horse-back and by carriage- 
loads and fill it to overflowing, to listen so sharply and 
shrewdly to his clear-cut and logical sentences, his two quails 
have changed to more inspiriting and difficult game. How- 
ever, the little self-diffident young man so well succeeds that 
on Nov. 30, 1772, the church invite him, by a vote of thirty- 
two out of thirty-four present, to become their pastor ; and the 
precinct, fourteen days after, give a hearty amen to the choice. 

April 21, 1773, Nathanael Emmons is settled as third pas- 
tor of this people. The service was, like that of both his 
predecessors, held outside the meeting-house, in a valley west 
of the present Catholic church ; so that he was literally, as he 
said, " ordained not over but under the people." 

With the settlement of Dr. Emmons, whose ministry ex- 
tended down to the memory of so many of us, and of whose 
character and influence as a master in theology so much has 
been written, and so ably, I may, though reluctantly, omit 
from this address any farther account of our ecclesiastical 
history, referring you to the book to be published for its sub- 
sequent phases. I have presented so much of it because for 
the first century of the country church, precinct, and town, 
were practically identical, and their history one. 

The ministerial question being settled with brightening, 
prospects of permanency, which is really the central interest 
of a New England town, we may take a hasty glance at its 
civil progress. 

The spirit of self-dependence whicli secured the separate 
parochial organization in 1738, found itself as much incom- 
moded in going to Wrentham for town business as it had 



* See Professor Park's Memoir of Emmons. Works. Vol. I. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 39 

been for religious worship. As early as 1740, a motion was 
made in this precinct to petition Wrentliam to become a town 
by themselves, but there was not outside sympathy enough to 
carry it. The next year there was a movement to make a 
new town out of slices from Wrentliam and Medway. This 
also failed. The next spring, in 1742, it was proposed to 
build a town from the corners of Wrentham, Medway, Belling- 
ham, and Holliston. This met a like fate. A movement for 
a new precinct at the northwest, in 1747, was stopped, as well 
as another, in 1748, at the north end. These abortive mo- 
tions for a narrower area were too many to mention. But 
March 4, 1754, a more serious step was adopted by the pre- 
cinct, to petition both Wrentham and the General Court to 
be set off into a separate district, and a committee was chosen 
to engineer the project. But Wrentham simply refused the 
petition, without condescending to describe its purport on its 
records. Thus baffled in every movement for a district town- 
ship, and full of other matters difficult of adjustment and 
expensive, aroused also by the Stamp Act and other Lord 
North's vagaries, the people concluded to bide their time and 
go to Wrentham to vote or stay at home. So the town ques- 
tion had rest until the exigencies of the War of Independence 
called for still more frequent and energetic gatherings. 
Then it came up in earnest. In the war meetings necessary — 
seven in that current year of 1777 — it was a burden to travel 
from five to eight miles to Wrentham, and the population had 
become large enough to justify the civil separation of the two 
religious precincts. Therefore, Dec. 29, 1777, a petition is 
addressed to Wrentham for " liberty to be set off into a dis- 
trict township, according to grant of court that they were at 
first incorporated into a precinct, with a part of said town's 
money and stocks." Dea. Jabez Fisher, Esq., Jonathan Met- 
calf , Samuel Sethbridge, Asa Whiting, Dr. John Metcalf , Jos. 
Hawes, and Capt. John Boyd, chief men of the precinct, are 
put in charge of the matter. Wrentham responds, January 
26, by adopting certain terms, and sends a committee of nine 



40 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

to give attention to the arguments of the Westerners. The 
result reported by the joint committee, February 21, is a 
unanimous conclusion that "said inhabitants be Set off as a 
Separate township by themselves," and the process is begun. 

In the further arrangements it is suggestive of the thrift 
of tlie whole town that there are but five paupers, two only 
of whom fall to the new town. It is agreed that the fire- 
arms, important assets now in 1777, be divided by the rela- 
tive pool and estate, and the ])owder, ball, flints, and other 
stores of that kind, according to the number of training-band 
and alarum list. The men raised for the Continental army 
are to be proportionally paid for and accredited to the town's 
quota. The salt allowed by the General Court is divided, 
and all other properties adjusted. After lengthy discussion 
and some scruples, whose phraseology suggests the sharp 
watch of Jabez Fisher, the precinct accepts the terms of the 
town and elects a committee to present their petition to the 
General Court. Among the acts of 1778 appears the charter 
of incorporation, dated in the House of Representatives, Feb- 
ruary 27, and in the council March 2. 

The petition which sets forth the arguments of our fathers 
for a separate civil existence, and the act by which such an 
existence was established, are of interest enough to be here 
inserted. 

To the Honorable Council i*^- Ilonse of Reprcsenfatives of the 
State of Blassaehuiietts Baij in General Court Assembled : 
The petition of the subscribers in behalf of the inhabitants 
of the West Precinct in Wrentliam Humbly sheweth : — 

That the Township of Wrentham is Considerably Large 
and the inhabitants with their Lands &: imprDvements are 
situated very much in two Divissions and but thinly settled 
Between the two Precincts, the Lands admitting of but few 
settlements. That the Publick Business of the Town Neces- 
sary to bo Transacted is very Considerable and has Long been 
Complained of as a Burden by those who are obliged to take a 
part, by means of Travil i^- Fatigue together with the Disa- 
pointments that often take place. That your Petitioners appre- 
hend themselves sutficient in Number and Ability for a Town, 



HISTORICAL ADDRP]SS. 41 

and that in many Respects y" advantages to them would be 
much greater tlian to remain in their present situation. That 
they have lately obtained a vote of the Town Exj)ressing their 
willingness that your ))etitioners should be incorporated into a 
Town by the following Bound, viz Begining at Charles river 
where Med field line comes to said river thence running south 
seventeen Degrees and an half west untill it comes to one 
rod east of the Dwelling House of M'' William Man thence a 
strait line to the easterly Corner of M'' Asa Whitings Barn, 
thence a strait line to sixty rod, Due south of the old Cellar 
where the Dwelling House of Eben'" Healey formally stood 
a Due west Course by the Needle to Bellingham line said Bel- 
lingham line to be y*" West Bounds and Charles river to be the 
Northerly Bounds your pef** Therefore Humbly pray That 
your Honors wou'd be pleased to incorporate them into a Town 
by y*" al)ove Discribed Bound, With the same powers & Privi- 
leges that are allowed to other Towns within this state. 
And your pet""** as in Duty Bound shall pray 
Sam""- Lethbridg, 



Joseph Hawes ^ ^^ 

Joseph Whiting Jr 



State of Massachusetts 



^la^ssachusetts | j^^ ^j^^ ^^^^^. ^^ ^^^. LORD 1778. 

An Act incorporating- the Westerly Part of the Toivn of 

Wrentham in the County of Suffolk into a Toivn by the 

name o/ Franklin. 

Whereas the Inhabitants of the Westerly part of the Town 
of Wrentham in the County of Suffolk have Rejiresented to 
this Court the Difficulties they Labour under in their present 
situation and pprehending themselves of sufficient Numbers 
& Al^ility request that they may be incorporated into a sepe- 
rate Town. 

Be it Therefore Enacted By the Council k House of Repre- 
sentatives in General Court Assembled & by the Authority of 
the same That the Westei'ly part of said Town of Wrentham 
seperated by a line as follows, viz Begining at Charles river 
whei-e Medfield line comes to said river, thence running south 
seventeen degrees and an half west untill it comes to one rod 
East of y' Dwelling House of William Man thence a strait line 
to the eastwardly corner of Asa Whiting' l)arn, thence a strait 
line to sixty rods due south of the old celler where the Dwell- 
ing House of Ebenezer Healy formerly stood thence a Due 



42 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

West Course by the Needle to Bcllingham line, said Belling- 
ham line to be the West Bounds and Charles river the North- 
erly Bounds, Be and hereby is incorporated into Distinct and 
seperate Town by the name of Franklin and invested with all 
the powers Privileges and immunities that Towns in this state 
do or may enjoy. 

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. 
That the inhabitants of said Town of Franklin shall pay 
their proportion of all state county and Town Charges already 
granted to be raised in the Town of Wrentham and also their 
proportion of the pay of the Representative for the present 
Year and the said Towns of Wrentham and Town of Franklin 
shall severally be held punctually to stand by & perform to 
each other the Terms & proposals Contained and Expressed 
in a vote of the Town of Wrentham passed at Publick Town 
Meeting the sixteenth Day of February 1778 according to y* 
plain and obvions meaning thereof, and 

Be it also Enacted by y*" Authority aforesaid. That Jabez 
Fisher, Esq"^ Be & he hereby is authorized & required to issue 
his warrant to one of the principal inliabitants of said Town 
of Franklin, authorizing & requiring him to Notifie and warn 
the Freeholders & other inhabitants of said Town to meet 
together at such time and place as shall be expressed in said 
warrant. To choose such officers as Towns are authorized 
by Law to Choose and Transact other such LawfuU matters 
as shall be expressed in said warrant. 

And be it further enacted That the inhabitants living 
within y** Bounds aforesaid who in the Late Tax in the 
Town of wrentham wore rated one half part so much for 
their Estates and Faculties as for one single Poll shall be 
taken and Holden to be Qualified and be allowed to Vote in 
their first Meeting for the Choice of ofticers and such other 
meetings as may be Called in said Town of Franklin untill 
a valuation of Estates shall be made by Assessors there. 

In the House of Representatives, Feby. 27, 1778. 

This Bill having been read 
three several times passed to be 

engrossed. Sent up for Concurrence, 

J. Warren Syke. 

In Council, March 2d, 1778. 
This Bill having had two several 
Readings, passed a Concurrence, to be engrossed. 

Jno. Avery, Dpy. Secy. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 43 

In the original draft of the charter, as preserved in the 
State arcliives, the name of this town is written throughout 
Exeter. In some of the readings during its passage, that 
name was erased, and overwritten Franklin. In all the votes 
of this precinct and of Wrentham, I find no name suggested 
for the new town. They probably left its christening to the 
honored General Court. But why the name of Exeter was 
first inserted in the act, and why afterwards changed to 
Franklin, is a conundrum for the curious. I venture to sug- 
gest, however, that if the committee in charge of the petition 
were asked for a name of the new township, or if they were 
dissatisfied with the proposed Exeter, there was none of 
them more likely to suggest a change than its chairman, 
Jabez Fisher — an ardent patriot of liberty, and a prominent 
man in state councils ; and the reasons for preferring the 
name of Franklin to that of Exeter are not less apparent. 

It will be remembered that Benjamin Franklin, with two 
others, had been sent to France immediately upon the 
Declaration of Independence in 1776 to negotiate a treaty of 
recognition and alliance. But the French government cau- 
tiously dallied with him until the close of 1777. But the 
news of the capture of Burgoyne removed their hesitancies, 
and on the 6th of January Louis XVI entered into a treaty 
of amity and commerce with the colonies. The news came 
rapidly to this country, and it was a graceful tribute to the 
successful diplomatist, Franklin, that the town, just at that 
date applying for incorporation, should bear his name. 

Though we may be among the smallest of the twenty-nine 
Franklins in our tribes of Columbia, besides the nineteen 
Franklinvilles, Franklintons, etc., yet we are the first-born 
heir of this large family, and oldest to the honors of the 
distinguished name. We may well commemorate our birth- 
day with centennial rejoicings. 

The ambassador to St. Cloud, as soon as his weighty 
duties permitted, showed that he himself understood and ap- 
preciated the compliment. For he requested Dr. Price, of 



44 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

London, to make choice of proper books for a library for 
Franklin, as his acknowledgment to his namesake in Massa- 
chusetts.* That library contained, according to the earliest 
catalogue extant. 116 volumes, many of them folios, and of 
which the most secular and frivolous was the life of Baron 
Trenk. It has become the basis of a public library of 3,000 
volumes. 

And Dr. Franklin had no occasion to be ashamed of either 
the intelligence or the patriotism of his namesake town ; for 
its prompt and unanimous participation in all the trying times 
of the War of Independence fully assured him of both. The 
responses of this town were prompt and hearty to every move- 
ment in defense of the liberties of the colonies — even from 
the time of the salary debate with Governor Burnet in 1728 imto 
the acknowledgment of their independence in 1783. Whether 
the calls were for troops or for money, for opinions upon poli- 
cies or protests against royal aggressions, the town always 
answered, and in no lukewarm words or ambiguous actions. 
Indeed, some of the papers reported by special committees and 
adopted by this town are worthy of careful study in this day 
of wordy ambiguities, as models of patriotic and broad political 
sense not surpassed even by the wise colonial proclamations. 
And this is not surprising when the wisest aiid best men of 
the town were chosen as the Committee of Correspondence, 
Representatives to the General Court, and delegates to District 
Conventions. 

It is now well known that Boston, as the metropolis of New 
England, and especially restive under its so close contact with 
the officers of the British crown, vigilantly watched their 
every movement, and informed the committees of correspond- 
ence of each town in its vicinity. The towns replied vigo- 
rously to these Boston letters. Thus the pulsations of liberty 
beat isochronously in all patriotic hearts, and a unified pur- 
pose gathered into strength in every arm. That sympathy of 
intelligence and feelmg was the spirit of ultimate victory ; for 

* See Addenda for more extended notice of the Franklin Library. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 45 

the resisting Bostonians knew Avhom they had behind them, 
hid away in the little hamlets and on the scattered farms to 
the north, west and south of the Bay. When, therefore, they 
sounded the alarm on the attempted seizure of the stores at 
Concord, in a few hours twenty thousand armed men from the 
country towns hurried to Boston and barricaded it from Dor- 
chester to Chelsea, as if they would force Governor Gage and his 
soldiers into the sea. In all these movements, Franklin was 
never a whit behind. It had more than one man in it like 
Jabez Fisher, whose fervor kindled and whose wisdom di- 
rected its action perpetually. But Fislier's hand is especially 
traceable in the reports and resolves of the town during the 
revolutionary period. 

The Stamp Act of 1765 called forth a very earnest protest 
from the town. But the letter from Boston in 1772, on the 
Governor's assumption that the colonial charter should be in- 
terpreted or revoked even, at the pleasure of the King, and on 
the order of Parliament that the salaries of the Governor, 
Judges, &c., should be taken directly from the American rev- 
enues, instead of paid by grant of the General Court as afore- 
time, awakened a deep and wide alarm, and drew out vigorous 
responses from all the towns. Boston denounced the assump- 
tion as an infraction of its charter, and the parliamentary 
order as a direct and long step towards despotism. The let- 
ter to the towns — after a recital of the facts — closes thus : 
" Let us consider, brethren, we are struggling for our best 
rights and inheritance, which being infringed renders all 
blessings precarious in their enjoyment, and consequently tri- 
fling in their value. Let us disappoint the men who are raising 
themselves on the ruin of this country. Let us convince every 
invader of our freedom that we will be as free as the Consti- 
tution our Fathers recognized will justify." Of this appeal, 
and the historical statements accompanying, over six hundred 
copies were printed and sent to the towns. The copy sent to 
Franklin drew out a long and vigorous statement of our fathers' 
theory of their rights. 



46 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Their paper deserves a place in this history of their times, 
as showing their clear appreciation of the situation. It was 
adopted in a public town meeting, 11th January, 1773 : — 

1. Resolved that the British Constitution is grounded on 
the eternal law of Nature, a Constitution whose foundation 
and center is liberty, which sends liberty to any subject that 
is or may happen to be within any part of its ample circum- 
ference. 

2. That every part of the British dominions hath a right 
freely to enjoy all the benefits and privileges of this happy 
Constitution, and that no power of Legislation or Governors 
on Earth can justly abridge or deprive any part of the British 
dominions from their liberties, without doing violence to his 
happy Constitution and its true principles. 

3. That every part of the British dominions in which acts 
of the liritish Parliament are exercised contrary to the true 
princi!)les of the Constitution have always and ought to have 
a right to petition and remonstrate, or join in petitioning and 
remonstrating to the King, Lords and Commons of Great 
Britain, that all such acts of Parliament may speedily be re- 
moved, abrogated and repealed. 

4. That the Province of Massachusetts Bay have a right, 
not only by nature and the laws of England, but by social 
compact, to enjoy all the rights, liberties and immunities of 
natural and freeborn subjects of Great Britain to all intents 
and purposes whatever ; and that acts of the British Parlia- 
ment imposing rates and duties of the inhabitants of this 
Province, while they are unrepresented in the Parliament of 
Great Britain, are violations of those rights and ought to be 
contended for with firmness. 

Resolved^ That it is the opinion of this town that the act of 
the British Parliament in assuming the power of Legislation 
for the Colonies in all cases whatsoever, and in consequence of 
that act have carried into execution that assumed power in 
laying duties on divers articles in the Colonies for the ex- 
press purpose of raising a revenue without their consent, 
either by themselves or their Representatives, whereby the 
right which any man has to his own property is wholly taken 
away and destroyed ; and what is more alarming still is, to 
see the amazing inroads which have been made and still are 
making in our charter rights and privileges by placing a 
Board of Commissioners amongst us under so large a com- 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 47 

mission with a train of attendants to sap the foundation of 
our industry — our Coasts surrounded with fleets — standing 
armies placed in free cities in time of peace without the con- 
sent of the inliabitants, whereby the streets of tlie Metropolis 
of tliis Province have been stained witli the blood of its inno- 
cent inhabitants ; the Governor of this Province made inde- 
pendent of the grants of tlie General Assembly ; large sala- 
ries affixed to the Lieutenant-Governor, the Judges of the 
Admiralty, etc. ; the amazing stretch of the power of the 
courts of Vice, admitting in a great measure depriving the 
people in the Cols, of their right to trial by Jury and such 
like innovations, which ai'C intolerable grievances, tending 
wholly to deprive us of our Charter riglits and privileges, pull 
down the Constitution and reduce us to a state of abject 
slavery. 

Resolved^ That it is the opinion of this town that the pre- 
vailing report, which they have reason to apprehend is well- 
grounded, that further inroads are contemplating on their 
rights and liberties by affixing stipends to the offices of the 
Judges of the Superior Courts of Judicature, etc., whereby 
they are to be made wholly independent of the grants of the 
General Assembly for tlieir support, is such a large stride 
towards despotism as fills us with fresh and more alarming 
fears of further invasions of our rights and privileges being 
trampled upon, viz : By making the Judges thus dependent 
upon the Crown for their place and support will have a ten- 
dency to bribe the present respectable gentlemen to become 
tools to a despotic administration, and if that should fail, it 
will be easy to supply their seats with those calculated for 
such a purpose. 2d, Thus calculated, nothing will be want- 
ing but an absolute Government which maybe over the Prov- 
ince qualified with new acts of Parliament adapted to their 
purpose which would exclude every individual in this Prov- 
ince from asserting and supporting his riglits, and turn the 
sacred stream of justice into but little sliort of an unwar- 
ranted inquisition. 

Resolved, That this town ever acknowledge the care and 
vigilance which the town of Boston liave discovered in stating 
the rights of the Colonies in so just a manner, and in point- 
ing out the many infringements and violations of those rights 
this Province labors under, at the same time assuring them 
that as this town hopes never to be wanting in their duty and 
loyalty to their King, so they are ever ready to do everything 



48 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

in their power in a constitutional way to assist in carrying 
into execution sucli measures as may be adapted to remove 
those difficulties we feel, and to prevent tliose we have reason 
to fear. 

In the name of the Committee, 

David Man. 

The committee were David Man, Capt. John Smith, Jahez 
Fisher, Lemuel Kollock, Thomas Man. 

This was the key-note of every resolve passed by the town 
in its thirty-one town meetings held in the live years between 
January, 1773 — the beginning of Governor Hutchinson's as- 
sumptions — and February 16,1778 — the last meeting held 
before the separation of Franklin from Wrentham. This 
trumpet certainly gave no uncertain sound of the coming 
conflict with royal dictation. 

The town, also, had a way in those days of instructing 
their representatives to the General Court how to act on 
measures which touched their vital interests. These papers 
expressed the sentiments of the citizens, and became, there- 
fore, valuable indices of the popular convictions. Amongst 
the most expressive of these papers, and certainly very sug- 
gestive of the ripeness for independence of this part of the 
colony, are the instructions adopted in the town meeting of 
June 5, 1776. They have a ring of liberty whose echoes 
ought to thrill in the ears of the supple and molluscous 
men of these hesitating times. They are addressed " to Mr. 
Benjamin Guild, Mr. Joseph Hawes, and Doct. Ebenezer Dag- 
gett, chosen to represent the town of Wrentham in the 
General Assembly, the ensuing year: — 

Gentlemen, We, your constituents, in full town meeting, 
June 5, 1776, give you the following instructions : — 

Whereas, Tyranny and oppression, a little more than one 
century and a half ago, obliged our forefathers to quit their 
peaceful habitations, and seek an asylum in this distant land, 
amidst an howling wilderness, surrounded with savage ene- 
mies, destitute almost of every convenience of life was their 
unhappy situation ; but such was their zeal for the common 
rights of mankind, that they (under the smile of Divine 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 49 

Providence), surmounted every difficulty, and in a little 
time were in the exercise of civil government under a char- 
ter of the crown of Great Britain: — but after some years 
had passed, and the colonies had become of some importance, 
new troubles began to arise. The same spirit which caused 
them to leave their native land still pursued them, joined by 
designing men among themselves — letters began to be wrote 
against the government, and the first charter soon after 
destroyed ; in this situation some years passed before another 
charter could be obtained, and although many of the gifts 
and priviliges of tlie first charter were abridged by the last, 
yet in that situation the government has been tolerably quiet 
until about tlie year 1763 ; since which the same spirit of op- 
pression has risen up ; letters by divers ill-minded persons 
have been wrote against the Government, (in consequence 
of wliich divers acts of the British Parliament made, muti- 
lating and destroying the charter, and wholly subservive of 
the constitution) ; fleets and armies have been sent to enforce 
them, and at length a civil war has commenced, and tlie 
sword is drawn in our land, and the whole united colonies 
involved in one common cause ; the repeated and humble 
petitions of the good people of these colonies have been wan- 
tonly rejected with disdain ; tlie Prince we once adored has 
now commissioned the instruments of his hostile oppression 
to lay waste our dwellings with fire and sword, to rob us of 
our property, and wantonly to stain the land with the blood 
of its innocent inhabitants ; he has entered into treaties with 
the most cruel nations to hire an army of foreign mercenaries 
to subjugate the colonies to his cruel and arbitrary purposes. 
In short, all liope of an accommodation is entirely at an end, 
a reconciliation as dangerous as it is absurd ; a recollection of 
past injuries will naturally keep alive and kindle the flames of 
jealousy. We, your constituents, therefore think that to be 
subject or dependent on the crown of Great Britain would 
not only be impracticable, but unsafe to the state ; the in- 
habitants of this town, therefore, in full town meeting, Unani- 
mously instruct and direct you (t. e. the representatives) to 
give your vote that, if the Honorable American Congress (in 
whom we place the highest confidence under God,) should 
think it necessary for the safety of the United Colonies to 
declare them independent of Great Britain, that we your 
constituents with our lives and fortunes will most cheerfully 
support them in the measure. 



50 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

The record of this arousing utterance, less than a month 
before the famous 4th of July, 1776, very modestly says : 
" The above report, after being several times distinctly read 
and considered by the town, was unanimously voted in the 
affirmative ivithoiit even one dissentient.^^ 

But these votes, unlike tlie resolves of many later conven- 
tions, meant all they avowed of work, self-denial, blood — for 
the records of the town show that carefully deliberated and 
resolutely formed determinations lay behind them. The men 
of that time had put their hands to the plow with no intention 
of looking back until their furrows had uprooted every trans- 
plant of a foreign monarchy in this land of freedom. Accord- 
ingly, on the first open aggression of the coming collision, when 
Governor Gage encamped his troops on Boston Common, 
the town voted, Sept. 15, 1774, to buy two pieces of cannon, 
" of the size & Bigness most proper & beneficial for the 
town ;" and at an adjournment, two weeks later, it appointed 
Mr. Joseph Spur and Oapt. Perez Gushing chief gunners, and 
ordered each to see that his piece was " fit for action as soon as 
may be." Affairs were rapidly coming to some crisis. Governor 
Gage had suspended the meeting of the General Court, which 
he had called at Salem for October 5. But ninety members met, 
and with John Hancock as President, adjourned to Cambridge. 
Here they formed a plan for the defense of the Colony, and 
directed a general enlistment of 12,000 men to be ready at a 
minute's notice for action. Hence the two cannon for self- 
protection, the minute-men enlisted by town vote, the commis- 
sion of Jabez Fisher as delegate to a Provincial Congress at 
Concord on the second Tuesday of October, and the " increase 
of the town stock to such a degree with powder. Ball & shot 
as the gunners & Captains of each parish shall think pro- 
per." The town also adopted the advice of the Provincial 
Congress, and at a special meeting November 22, ordered the 
constables not to pay any town moneys to Harrison Gray, the 
royalist treasurer, but to Henry Gardner of Stow, for the use 
of the Province, •' and the town will stand in the way of any 
harm to them." 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 51 

At the meeting of Jan. 4, 1775, a Committee of Inspection 
of fifteen were ordered to see to the execution of the advice of 
the Continental and Provincial Congresses, and another of 
seven to secure two companies of minute-men to tlie number 
of one-fourth of the training band lists. These committees- 
were : 1st, Elislia Ware, Jeremiah Day, John Whiting, Doct,^ 
Ebenezer Daggett, Lieut. Joseph Everett, Lieut. Samuel Fisher, 
Lieut. Joseph Fairbanks, John Hall, Esq., Samuel Cowellj. 
Joseph Whiting, Jr., Doct. John Metcalf, Samuel Lethbridge, 
Joseph Woodward, Capt. Perez Cashing, and Dea. Jabc/ 
Fisher ; 2d., Benjamin Hawes, Dea. Jabez Fisher, Joseph Wood- 
ward, Dea. Thomas Man, Asa Whiting, Lieut. Samuel Fisher, 
and Lemuel Kollock. 

Under such men things move vigorously. The minute-men 
are equipped each " with a good fire-arm, bayonet, pouch, 
knapsack, and thirty rounds of cartridge by the twentieth day 
of February " — for they know not how soon Gage's mercena- 
ries may be after their two cannon, and the two captains are 
directed to " train and exercise the men in military exercise 
one half day in every fortnight to the 1st of April next, and 
from and after that time to the 1st of May next two half 
days in every week, four hours in every half day."* For this 
service the captains will receive 16d. per half day, each sub- 
altern officer 14d., four sergeants per each company 12d., four 
corporals, one drummer and one fifer, each lOd., and each 
private 9d. 

But Concord and Lexington and Bunker Hill are demand- 
ing more than minute-men, trainings, and letters of commit- 
tees of correspondence. Though our half of the committee 
of eleven be such men as Hezekiah Fisher, Joseph Hawes, 
Capt. Asa Fairbanks, Capt. Perez Cushing, and Joseph Whit- 
ing, yet the country wants men in the field. The town, tliere- 
fore, springs promptly to the call for fifteen battalions offered 
by Massachusetts ; and when volunteers lag, it orders, 8th 
July, 1776, the two companies to draft " whom they think 



* For lists of Frank! in's minute-men see military chapter in Addenda. 



52 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

most Equal and Just to do a turn or half turn, reference be- 
ing had to what they formerly had done," who shall go, find 
a substitute, or pay <£8 per turn to the officers to procure one. 
In the spring of 1777, as the conflict deepens into a war, 
40s. per month, after the first year, are offered to three 
years' men; or, if they prefer, £20 at once, in addition to 
the Continental and State bounties. 

But the patriots had eyes to look sharply after home 
enemies as well as foreign ; and at the suggestion of the State 
Assembly they choose, May 26, 1777, Mr. Joseph Hawes to 
look after and report all tories to the proper court. The sol- 
diers' families are not forgotten, and a committee is chosen, 
September 3, to see that they are " supplied with the neces- 
saries of life at a stipulated price, at the town's cost." 

The last vote of the whole town, previous to the incorpora- 
tion of Franklin, touching the war, was on Feb. 16, 1778, and 
is the acceptance of a committee's report tliat the full quota of 
the town, " being the full seventh part of the male inhabitants 
of this town," has been secured by the enlistment of five men 
at £60 for each man. 

With this clean record for liberty, the town of Franklin 
starts on its independent career. 

Our records as a new town open with a copy of the act of 
incorporation and the order for a meeting to organize, issued 
by Jabez Fisher, justice of the peace, and addressed to Sam- 
uel Lethbridge " one of the principal inhabitants." That first 
meeting is held ou Monday, March 23, 1778, at 9 o'clock, a. m ., 
and chooses its town officers and its committee of correspond- 
ence — Capt. John Boyd, Dea. Daniel Thurston, Lieut. Eben- 
ezer Dean, Capt. Thomas Bacon, Joseph Guild, the leading 
patriots of the town — and then adjourns one month to look 
into and make up their minds upon the new State constitution. 
In no whit in any subsequent meetings was the town derelict 
to any call for aid from the State or the struggling nation. 

Of the burdens of that time we have little conception. We 
have been restive under the expenses of the late rebellion 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 63 

and the depreciation of our currency, and some resist resump- 
tion when it involves a fall of only one-quarter of one per cent. 
But in July, 1781, the ratio of paper to silver was as one to 
forty ; and in September, as one to one hundred and fifty. In 
February, 1782, the town paid X400 for ten shirts to Dea, Joseph 
Whiting ; who, of course, would not overcharge. In this same 
year of '82, the town expenses amounted to .£100,765 Is. 6d., 
in which tlie collector had unwittingly taken .£51 counterfeit — 
relatively to the value of the rest, a very small offense ! No 
wonder the town voted, March, 1784, that "the old Continental 
money and the new emission money in the town treasury shall 
go into a ministerial fund forever." It was a grim joke upon 
a paper currency, and explains, perhaps, why you cannot now 
find that fund. 

But the fathers endured this bitter depreciation as the home 
part of the price of liberty. They also readily adopted the 
scale of prices recommended by the Concord Convention of 
1779 — to keep down exorbitant charges — and chose a com- 
mittee to see to it, and they voted to publish in the Boston 
papers the names of all non-conformists to the prices. They 
voted also, that "■ the town will have no commercial dealings 
with sucli.'" It furnishes its quota of beef for the army — 
33,908 lbs. in eighteen months — and supplies the men sent 
to suppress the Shays Rebellion of 1786. 

There is a flash of fire in some of their resolutions of that 
day whose heat still lingers in their words — as when, in 1779, 
while the money credit of the government was rapidly falling, 
this town recommended by vote to all who had money to loan 
to lend it to the Continental and State treasuries, and " avoid 
lending to monopolizers. Jobbers, Harpies, Forestallers, sharp- 
ers and Tories, with as much caution as they avoid a pesti- 
lence." We look on sucli a record of our town with high sat- 
isfaction. 

The record of its individual citizens is no less commendable, 
as will appear in the military history. But we must leave the 
camp to look again at the affairs at home. 



54 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

It is no dubious proof of the pluck of our fatliers that, ere 
the smoke of the Revolutionaiy War had hardly rolled away, 
they set about building a new meeting-house. The old house 
had stood over forty years, has become ragged with use, and 
strait for the increasing population. But what is the wisest 
to do, is a question decided first this way and then that. 
One point, however, must be settled — whether the center of 
the town may not have shifted with the independence of the 
country and the growth of its inlial)itants. Two surveyors 
and three chainmen are, therefore, (in January, 1784,) set 
upon this old problem ; who find, after many days and at a cost 
of X26 3s. 4d. (of which XI 12s. lid. are for" Lickquer"), 
this perplexing center of Franklin to l^e " N. W. 71°, forty- 
seven rods from the center of the west door of the meeting- 
house where it now stands ;" which lands it not far from the 
same Morse's mud ])ond as fifty years l)efore. A committee is, 
therefore, sent out to perambulate that region and rej)ort what 
they shall find in its vicinity. They negotiate successfully with 
Nathaniel and John Adams for the present Common and its 
approaches. Another committee of thirteen present plans for 
a new meeting-house, all of which is accepted in December, 
1787, and the meeting-house Avhich arose out of so many votes 
and counter votes was completed l)v July, 1788, at a final cost 
of Xl,054 9s. 2d. Iqr. That house served its purpose for over 
fifty years, until, in 1840, it suffered a removal and a trans- 
formation. The last service held in it was on Monday, Sept. 
28, 1840 ; it l>eing the funeral of the pastor. Dr. Emmons, who 
was ordained in this town sixty-seven years before. The next 
day after the carpenters ])egan their work of alterations. That 
transforination was before the day of photographs, so that no 
picture remains of our old meeting-house, save the fading re- 
membrance which lingers in the memory of a few of us boys 
and girls of 1840. I have attempted to reproduce its picture 
as I recollect it, which the reader will find further on. 

The house was sixty feet by forty-two, with a porch at each 
end fourteen feet square. It had fifty-nine pews on the floor 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 55 

and twenty-one in tlie g-allery, besides the singers' and Loys' 
seats. The present Catholic chnrch is tlie ohl lionsc frame 
unaltered in size. 

But what picture can produce its interior on some pleasant 
Sunday morning in June ! Its high box pulpit and impend- 
ing sounding board, hung by a single iron rod, an inch square ; 
the two pegs on each side of the pulpit window, on one of 
which sometimes hangs the blue-black cloak, and on the other 
always the three-cornered clerical hat ; by no means omitting 
the short, lithe preacher in the pulpit, with clear sharp eye, 
bald shining head, and small penetrating voice, and manu- 
script gesture. The square pews, too, seated on four sides, 
with a drop seat across the narrow door, and the straight 
cushioned chair in the center for the grandmother, filled, 
every one, with sedate faces, over which white hairs unusu- 
ally predominate ; and the long seats hemming the galleries, 
piled with hats against the two aisles, which a puff of wind 
from the porch entries sometimes sends down scattering upon 
the heads below. The singers' seats, filling the front gallery 
opposite the pulpit, in which nothing bigger than a pitch-pipe 
for years dared to utter a note ; and the boys' seats in the 
southwest elbow of the gallery, each boy with one eye on the 
tithing-man in the opposite corner, while the other eye wan- 
ders or sleeps, and both ears enviously open to the neighing 
of the horses in the sheds and the twitter of the birds in the 
Lombardy ])oplars near by I 

But the s{)irit of modern reform in 1840 demolished every 
vestige of that picture and carried off even the frame of the 
building to a new foundation. As a result of that demolition, 
the top of the old sounding-board lighted upon a well-house 
in Ashland, the breastwork of the old pulpit landed in the 
lecture-room of the Chicago Theological Seminary, and if you 
would once again listen to the sound of the same old bell 
which called your grandfathers and grandmothers to meetings 
on Sunday and lecture-days, and tolled their departure to the 
grave, you can hear it still — or could — ringing out as clearly 



56 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

as ever in the CongTegational steeple in Paxton, and reputed 
as the most musical bell in Worcester county. 

But before we leave the old meeting-house, we nmst give 
one word to the Common in front of it. It was, when bought 
of the Adamses, covered with pitch-pines. While the meet- 
ing-house was being built, in 1788, ►'^amuel Lethbridge offered 
to clear it up and subdue it within five years, for one penny a 
poll of the ])arish and time to raise four cro])s upon it and 
dispose of the stones as he pleased. A different bargain, how- 
ever, was made with him for this woric, for in 1793 lie re- 
ceived £5 14s. 3M. for subduing the Common. But the 
conquest was so far incomplete that in 1797 another bill of 
$92.15 was paid for blasting powder, plowing, hay seed, victuals, 
and drink, from which deduct $31.24 credit for twenty bush- 
els of buckwheat, hay, and stones, and you have $60.91 ex- 
pended in completing the victory over Nature. 

The platoons of Lombardy poplars which stood guard so 
erect and slim on three sides of the Common, and which fur- 
nished us boys with whistles on election days, were planted by 
vote of the town 6th April, 1801, by William Adams " at his 
discretion." * 

No town has a larger or finer plat of public territory for 
adornment, and in no town would a public park — tastefully 
set with walks, trees, and shrubbery, as this might be — add 
more to the beauty of its location. The local society for its 
improvement deserves, as I presume it will have, the cordial 
and visible co-operation of the whole town. Our Common 
should become a museum of every species of tree indigenous 
to the hills and valleys of this township, — where the young 
can study the characteristics of the forest while they talk of 
the century to come, and of the homes which they hope to 
build in the hereafter. 

But my hour is over, and a score of perhaps more interest- 
ing topics must be relegated to the ])rinted history in process 
of immediate preparation. 

* See its further liistory in the Addenda. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 57 

The uprise of other churches and religious societies in this 
once single precinct — of which there now are at least six in 
vigorous operation ; the industrial enterprises — from the 
saw-mill on Mine brook, laid out in 1698, now the site of one 
of the Rays' numerous felting mills ; the humble straw begin- 
nings of Major Thayer, in 1800, to the present varied and ex- 
tensive manufactories of the town ; the names and deeds of 
the veterans of the Revolution, and of the no less prompt 
volunteers to suppress the rebellion of 1861 ; the schools, 
and especially the honorable list of college graduates, the pro- 
fessional men and eminent citizens, -native or resident — not 
forgetting the distinguished women, not a few — who have 
marked their day here or elsewhere ; of whom, as of Prof. 
Alexander M. Fisher of Yale, Judge Theron Metcalf, and 
Hon. Horace Mann, this town may well be proud, as her 
own native born — not forgetting the old Academy of 
1835-40, whose memory shines yet as a bright morning in at 
least one soul ; these and other kindred themes must wait 
their opportunity. And not less the hundred and one other 
apparently little things which, nevertheless, give foliage and 
fragrance to history, as amongst the really developing forces 
of society. 

I have simply culled a few of the taller stalks from the 
harvest-field of a hundred years, to make a boquet for your 
centennial table to-day. It is a specimen only out of the 
years from which others might have gathered a much richer 
handful. But to me the culling has been among familiar 
acres, and the work has been a labor of love. As such, I beg 
to lay it before you to-day, with the hope that you will excuse 
the omission of your favorite flowers, and accept it as my 
offering to the old town which has always rendered me far 
more honor than I feel myself to be worthy of. 

May the patriotism, the steadfast integrity, the intelligence, 
and the harmony which beautify the history of the past cen- 
tury of this town, shine on clearer and purer into the coming 
centuries, as far and as long as the name of Franklin, Mass., 
can be read ! 



ADDENDA. 



ADDENDA. 



The many matters of topography, civil, ecclesiastical, educa- 
tional, indastrial, and military history, which could not properly 
have mention in the public address — valuable documents, statis- 
tics, etc., are here contained in some order of arrangement under 
their appropriate heads. 

I. TOPOGRAPHY. 

The town of Franklin, whose general history is given in the 
preceding address, lies in the southwestern part of Norfolk county, 
Mass., and is southwesterly from Boston twenty-seven and one- 
quarter miles by the New York and New England Railroad. It 
contained within its original limits, as measured by the survey of 
1832, 17,602^ acres, or 27.6 square miles. In 1870 the north- 
eastern portion of the town was set off to the new town of Nor- 
folk, formerly North Wrentham. This area included about 1,653 
acres, lea\ing some 15,949 acres as the present extent of Frank- 
lin. It has the rolling, hilly surface which belongs to the Syenitic 
formation of eastern Massachusetts, and affords many beautiful 
views. From some of its elevated highway's the Blue hills of 
Milton are visible, and from others can be seen Mount Wachuset 
in Princeton. It is one of the highest towns in the county, its 
central depot being on the summit of the New York and New 
England Railroad, and is one of the most healthful towns in the 
Commonwealth. It has several ponds — Beaver, Uncas, Popolatic, 
and Kingsbury's being the largest — whose overflow ultimately 
reaches the Charles river and Massachusetts bay, through Mine 
brook, and Stop, or Mill, river. 

The elevation of the town, the general beauty of its scenery, 
and its railroad facilities — to say nothing of its social advantages 



62 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

— are rapidl}' attracting attention to it as a summer resort or a 
country home. The many other facts which constitute and de- 
termine its desirableness as a^ place of residence or of business, 
will find a place under their appropriate heads in this supplemen- 
tary histor}'. 

II. CIVIL HISTORY. 

The main facts of our interior life are contained in the histori- 
cal address. Upon the subsidence of the war for liberty, society 
rapidl}^ assumed its normal state and began its normal develop- 
ment. Little has occurred in the history proper of the town de- 
manding especial mention. The regular town meetings were held, 
at which the necessaiy^ officers were chosen, of whom a list is 
given at the end, and the necessary expenses of the town were 
provided for. 

Being mostly a farming communit}', the population increased 
very slowly. At the date of incorporation it was less than 1,100. 
Its census, at the several dates computed, has been — in 1790, 
1,101 ; in 1800, 1.2.55 ; in 1810, 1,398 ; in 1820, 1,630 ; in 1830, 
1,662 ; in 1840, 1,717 ; in 1850, 1,818 ; in 1855, 2,044 ; in 18G0, 
2,172 ; in 1865, 2,510 ; in 1870, 2,512 ; and in 1875, 2,983. 

As the boundaries of the parish were territorially coincident 
with those of the town, the interests of the two were substantial!}- 
one, and both interests were often acted upon in the same meet- 
ing. Hence the records do not discriminate between doings 
strictly civil and properl}' ecclesiastical. But b}' a statute of 1803, 
it was declared that such transaction of parochial business in open 
town meeting vitiated the proceedings, and a committee was 
chosen at the March meeting of 1804 to petition the General 
Court to ratify all past acts of town and parish, and to incorpor- 
ate the latter as " the First Congregational parish in the town of 
Franklin." Up to tliis date, therefore, are selected such acts 
from either precinct or town records as have interest for preserva- 
#on and have not been already quoted in the general history. 

The first warrant for organizing the precinct was issued hy 
Jonathan Ware, justice of the peace, to Robert Pond, Daniel 
Hawes, Da^ad Jones, Daniel Thurston, and John Adams, " to meet 
at the house the inhabitants of sd precinct usuall3-meet in for pub- 
lic worship," Monday, 16th of January, at 10 o'clock. 1738. Meas- 



ADDENDA. 63 

ures were immediately taken for selecting a site and erecting a 
meeting-house, and for procuring a minister. The church, being 
present, acted jointl}' witli the precinct in these ecclesiastical mat- 
ters. The salary proposed was six score pounds, old tenor, to rise 
and fall with the value of money, and a settlement of £200 ; or, 
if preferred, £60 and the two parcels of land, containing sixty 
acres, granted by AVrentham at a proprietors' meeting 18th 
April, 1721, " whenever the}^ be legally set off." Another £100 
was, in Jul}', added to buy woodland for the ministerial fires. 
The deed of an acre of land from Thomas Man for a meeting- 
house lot was accepted 11th September, 1739, and put for safe 
keeping into the care of Simon Slocum. 

On account of the high price of provisions, the precinct voted, 
22d December, 1742, a contribution, to be taken on the last Sab- 
bath of each month for four months, for the relief of the minister. 

In 1762, when religious differences began to make votes im- 
portant, the right of franchise was by vote limited "to such as 
have a freehold in house and land lying within the precinct.' 
The same differences occasioned frequent and sometimes long 
meetings; and it was ordered, 14th March, 1763, to put upon 
" the acre " a white pine stick for a trough and painted, proba- 
bly for the use of horses who had no interest in awaiting the long 
discussions of parish affairs. It was somewhat of a trough, cost- 
ing 44s. How it was filled with Avater no record reveals. Per- 
haps the sexton, who had 15s. for sweeping the meeting-house and 
"taking care of the chosen" (things), needed no instructions. 

For many years discussions and perambulations of town boun- 
daries and laying out roads constituted the chief business of the 
town meetings. But the location of roads b}- marked trees, cor- 
ners of farms, etc., renders their present description useless. 
Guide-posts are not mentioned until 1795, March 23, when the 
selectmen are directed to erect them according to law. The 
records show that all minor matters of town thrift were properlj- 
looked after. 

III. BURYING-GROUNDS. 

Two had been provided at the beginning of the settlement by 
grants of land from the proprietors ; one for the convenience of the 
settlers around Stop river, and another for those who migrated from 



64 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Wrentliam. These yards appear to have lain open and uncared 
for until 1768, when the precinct appointed a committee for each 
burial place, to clear up and fence them with good stone walls. 
In 1793, committees are appointed to again clear them, repair the 
fences, appoint sextons, and fix the fees for interment. In 1808, 
the south (central) bur3-ing-ground was enlarged b}' an addition 
of ninety-eight rods, bought of Simeon Partridge and an enclosing 
two-rail fence with sawed posts was ordered. These same ceme- 
teries, with subsequent enlargements, are now in use, and the chil- 
dren are laid where 

" The forefathers of the hamlet slept." 

A hearse was purchased by the town in May, 1803, and rules 
were adopted regulating its use. This black and somber vehicle 
was used until the purchase of a new one b}' the town in April, 
1837, which latter was supplanted by another in 1853. The taste 
and requirements of the community led, in 1860, to the formation 
■of the Franklin Cemeter}' Association, which purchased and laid 
out several acres on the west side and adjoining the Central bury- 
ing-ground. The town added six acres to its own yard, and the 
two cemeteries are now practically one. In 1867, Saul B. Scott 
gave land for an enlargement of the City Mills Cemetery. In 
1864, J. L. Fitzpatrick and eleven others organized and secured a 
burial-ground called the Catholic Cemetery, of which the town ap- 
proved b}' vote, November 8. 

It seems a proper place here to give a few facts about the 

EMMOKS MONUMENT. 

While W. M. Thayer was a member of Brown University, Dr. 
Wa3land, the President, suggested to him in a private conversa- 
tion, that Dr. Emmons deserved a more public monument than 
the village cemetery could afford, and that his many friends out of 
town were anxious to express in some permanent form their ap- 
preciation of his valuable labors for truth. The idea received a 
cordial response from the people of Franklin, and steps taken to 
realize it in stone. 

A meeting was called and the Emmons Monument Association 
was ultimately organized, 5th March, 1844. The constitution, 
-adopted 23d March, defined its sole object to be to erect a suita- 



ADDENDA. 65 

ble monument to the memory of Nathanael Emmons, D. D., and 
that it shall be " erected on or near the spot where the old meet- 
ing-house stood — that spot, hallowed by his faithful labors of 
more than half a century, and that house where his voice was 
heard at its dedication, and in which the last services performed 
were his funeral solemnities." This article is made unalterable, 
except by unanimous vote of the Association. To this constitu- 
tion twenty-seven names of citizens were attached. In accord- 
ance with its provisions, a committee of three was chosen to select 
the precise site for a monument, and other committees necessary 
to secure funds, etc. The first committee. Rev. Drs. Wayland 
of Providence, Codman of Dorchester, and Burgess of Ded- 
ham, after viewing the available locations, reported that the 
' ' monument be erected on the public ground in front of the church, 
if this can be permanently secured for the public, and the ground 
be properly graded, ornamented and enclosed. The reasons for 
this preference over the burying-ground are, that there is no room 
for such a monument in the latter place, and that, inasmuch as 
this is not strictly a personal memorial, but rather a public testi- 
monial of the esteem in which his life-work and labors were held 
by his townsmen and friends, the most central situation and the 
most frequented, seems to us the most appropriate place." 

The report was adopted and subscriptions immediately opened. 
Responses came from even distant towns, whose names there is 
not room to give; and June 17, 1846, a granite monument was 
erected with public services, near the center of the Common, 
across which the venerated pastor had traveled to and fro for over 
half a century. A large company gathered i^ the church, where 
an address was given by Rev. M. Blake, and then adjourned to 
the Common in front, where the dedicatory address was made by 
Rev. T. D. Southworth, then pastor of the church. 

This monument remained a central and often visited object, un- 
til a new and inexplicable impulse moved it into the new part of 
the cemetery and out of public sight ; contrary to the unalterable 
provision of the society which located and erected it. 

IV. THE COMMON 

was purchased of Nathaniel and John Adams in 1787. Unlike 
most towns, the proprietors of this town seem to have donated no 



66 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

tract of land for a Common or training tield. When the first 
meeting-honse became antiquated and contracted, the question of 
a new sanctuar\^ raised also that of a larger and better site thaix 
" the acre " given by Thomas Man. As soon, therefore, as a new 
house was decided upon, a committee was chosen 3d December, 
1787, to negotiate with John Adams for the purchase of " the 34- 
rod spot." On the 17tli following the}^ reported : — 

We have agreed with Mr. John Adams for the wedge of land 
lying between the way from the meeting-house leading to the Rev. 
Nathanael Emmons and the way from the said meeting-house tO' 
Ens. John Adams, being nine acres, at £1 10s. per acre : also, 38 
rod of land west of said way at the same rate ; also 1^ acres in 
the hollow south of the old meeting-house at £3. And of Nathan- 
iel Adams 140 rods of land east of the way from said meeting- 
house leading to Mr. Emmons, at the rate of £1 10s. per acre. 
Also a road three rods wide through his improved land, beginning 
at the road from John Adams, Jr., to go a straight course betweeni 
his house and well to the land above mentioned. For which he is 
to receive as a satisfaction £8 in money and the acre of land 
whereon the meeting-house now stands, with the road that is now 
wanted, in b}' his house, to said acre. 

The bargain was sanctioned, and in December, 1789, the towu 
voted to buy the piece of land north of the new meeting-house, 
once bought of Nathaniel Adams by John Richardson, to make 
the Common more convenient, at 6d. per rod, containing 59^ rods- 
This addition was balanced by the sale to Nathaniel Adams of a 
small piece of shrub land lying on a side-hill south of the old 
meeting-house. In October, 1790, the plan of the Common thu& 
constructed was accepted, and certain old roads now useless were 
discontinued. A new road was opened from Abijah Thurston's 
through the land of John Adams to the new meeting-house, and 
Adams was directed to " clear up the part of his land west of the 
road leading from his house to the meeting-house for the safety of 
said house." 

In subsequent years the ownership of the Common was a mat- 
ter of frequent discussion between town and parish. But so far 
as appears, all after improvements upon it were made by private 
subscriptions ; and the fact of a movement to have the town pur- 
chase the Common of the parish, indicates decidedly to what con- 
clusion the town arrived. But the movement failed of a vote. 




/4 7- r ^ 



'^'^ O HOU O^ 



^^ ^ 


\ 


) 


i 






; 





Wrenihanici^'' Franklin. 

R^eprnc/ucec/ an a? uniform scj/6: o /' 72 o rod's /ier /'nc^ 
/"rorn -^he o/c//mi//s of I4^rer)^harn (t^<i.'>')<3ncl rr^n/rlin 
(^y^S) ■ /{o^c/s .r/yoyvn 6y c/ofyec/ //f7es h^t^e dee/i 



ADDENDA. 67 

when a committee of the town recommended its purchase for 
$3,000. The improvement of the Common, by planting shade 
trees, laying out walks, etc., is in the hands of a voluntary associ- 
ation at the present time. 

V. MAPS OF THE TOWN. 

The earliest known map of the territory of Franklin is in the 
town office of Wrentham. It is entitled, "A Plan of the Town of 
Wrentham. Shewing the Figure and Bounds thereof. Particu- 
larly of the Westerly Bound and Marks the Scituation of the 
Ponds, first House Lotts shewn by Jus*. Ware, Eben"" Pusher and 
others. — — — — Ma}' 1735 pr Sam' Brooks 

Surv--." 

This map contains inside its boundaries onl3'the two ponds, two 
or three short streets and the location and names of the first set- 
tlers. The outline of the West Precinct is dotted within it, evi- 
dently at a later date, and is almost exactly coincident with the 
present boundaries of Franklin. 

An exact but reduced fac-simile of this ancient map and its 
contents is given in the accompanying drawing. The original is 
on a scale of foily chains to the inch. 

A map of more interest to us is in the archives of the State 
House at Boston. It is from surveys made by Amos Hawes and 
Moses Fisher in September, October, and November, 1794, and 
is dated 27th May, 1795. The subscript says "There is about 
17,602 acres in said town and that there are four Ponds which 
contain 20 acres and a half as laid down on the Plan. The roads 
in said Franklin are 58f miles in length and two rods in Breadth 
and contain 221 acres and one-quarter. Charles River on the 
North is about 5 rods in width and Mine Brook about one rod. 
The Centre of said Town is Thirty Miles from Boston the Capital 
of the State and Nineteen Miles from Dedham the Shire Town of 
the County." A reduced fac-simile of this map is inserted within 
the map of Wrentham and enclosed within the dotted lines. 

In 1795, November 2, the selectmen were directed to " procure 
a plan of the town drawed on Parchment 100 rods to an inch, delin- 
eating the roads, Ponds, Streams, Houses, and Mills, specifying 
the distance of every house from- the meeting-house in sd town, 
the distance of the Town from the Shiretown of the County, the 



68 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

distance from the Capital of the state, the quantity of land in sd 
town, the surface of water contained in the ponds, and the quan- 
tity of land contained in the roads. Said plan to be the property 
of the town, to be lodged in the town clerk's office." No such 
map is now discoverable in the town office or elsewhere, unless 
that in the State House be the one intended. 

In 1830, the State Legislature passed an act requiring the towns 
to make a survey of their territory. This town responded with a 
map, surve3'ed by John G. Hales, and lithographed, of which the 
town bought 200 copies at cost, to be resold at forty-two cents 
apiece. These went off slowlj', and in 1837 the town voted to 
sell the balance at auction. Copies of this map of 1832 are still 
somewhat plenty. No survey of the town has since been made 
at the town's expense. The maps in the atlas of Norfolk county, 
of 1876, were issued by subscription of individuals, the town vot- 
ing, 4th March, 1874, to buy a copy of the atlas at half price for 
the several public schools. Whether the schools now have a copy, 
the school committee can probably tell. 

VI. VOTES ON CIVIL MATTERS. 

The action of the town as a corporation is rather indicated by 
its general drift than by its specific votes. But its political sym- 
pathies are shown in its instructions at different times to its repre- 
sentatives — many of which are decisive enough — and in its 
majorities for State and National oflicers. Some votes on particu- 
lar questions have, therefore, a value in the town's history. 

In 1778, a new State constitution was submitted to the j^eople. 
A special committee, of which the minister was chairman, was 
chosen to examine it, whose report and subsequent discussion led 
to a non-approval of the instrument. The Concord Convention of 
17th July, 1779, was highlv approved of "as calculated to answer 
the great purpose of appreciating our paper currency," and the 
prices of commodities as then recommended were adopted. The 
vote for the State constitution of 1780 was 105. The revised 
constitution of 1820 experienced a curious reception, decidedly 
indicative of the independent thinking and acting of the voters. 
The fourteen articles passed as follows : — 



ADDENDA. 



69 



Article 1 20 yeas, 126 nays. 

Article 2 yeas, 146 nays. 

Article 3 136 yeas, 7 nays. 

Article 4 126 yeas, 21 nays. 

Article 5 71 yeas, 67 nays. 

Article 6 2 yeas, 138 nays. 

Article 7 128 yeas, 6 nays. 



j Article 8 133 yeas, 15 nays. 

Article 9 91 yeas, 6 nays. 

Article 10 1 yea, 120 nays. 

Article 11 100 yeas, 5 nays. 

Article 12 1 yea, 97 nays. 

Article 13 104 yeas, nays. 

Article 14 8 yeas, 101 nays. 



The amendments of 1833, 1836, and 1840 were passed almost 
without opposition. Subsequent votes of the town on later 
amendments indicate the same independent and intelligent judg- 
ment. The revised constitution of 1853 was rejected on three of 
its eight general divisions. 

VII. THE PUBLIC POOR. 

At the incorporation of the town there were only five paupers 
in the whole area of Wrentham, two of whom fell to Franklin, 
and the thrift of the people was such that for many years no 
mention is made in the records of any need of public provision 
for the poor. In 1799, regulations were adopted by the town for 
their care. As the custom then was, they were put out to the 
lowest bidder ; but the successful bidder must be approved by 
the selectmen and held strictl}' to furnish all comforts except 
clothes and medicine, which were supplied by the town, and to 
remove the poor elsewhei-e at his own expense, on any complaint 
approved by the selectmen. At this date there were onlj^ five to 
be so disposed of. 

In 1835, the dwelling-house and fann were purchased of Mr. 
Alpheus Adams, for an almshouse, at a cost of $3,000. It contains 
125 acres, a two-story dwelling-house, 40x32 feet, a barn 50x26 
feet, and other smaller buildings. Since 1835, the number of its 
inmates has not at au}- time exceeded twelve. 

In 1868 the almshouse was burned, and the following April the 
town voted to build another twenty rods farther east. This new 
building is now in use. 

VIII. PUBLIC LIBRARY. 

What is now regarded as a town necessit}^ had hardly an exist- 
ence outside of colleges a hundred years ago. Franklin was 
blessed with the donation of a library before it was ten years old, 
which became the foundation for its present respectable collection 
of books. 



70 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

The tradition is current that Dr. FrankUn gave a Ubrary in- 
stead of a bell as had been suggested to him, because he believed 
such a people must prefer sense to sound. But a diligent search 
has found no verification of this very probable, characteristic and 
appropriate remark. But there is a letter of value, the original 
of which is in the collections of the Maine Historical Society at 
Brunswick, and a cop}' of which the secretary. Prof. A. S. Pack- 
ard, has kindh" furnished : — 

Passy, April 13, 1785. 

Dear Cousin : I received your letter of Decem'' IG relating to 
Jonas Hartwell. I had before written to our Minister at Madrid, 
Mr. Carmichael, requesting him to apply for the Release of that 
Man. Inclosed I send His answer, with Copies of other Papers 
relating to the Affair. The Simpleton will be discharged, perhaps 
after being a little whipt for his Folh', & that may not be amiss. 
We have here another New England man, Thayer, formerly a can- 
didate for the Ministry, who converted himself lately at Home, 
& is now preparing to return home, for the purpose of convert- 
ing his Countrymen. Our ancestors from Catholics became first, 
Church of England men, & then, refined into Presbyterians. 
To change now from Presbyterianism to Poper}', seems to me re- 
fining backwards, from white sugar to brown. 

I have written to Dr. Price of London, requesting him to make 
a choice of proper Books to commence a Library for the use of 
the Inhabitants of Franklin. They will be sent directly from 
thence. * * » Your affectionate uncle, 

B. Franklin. 

JoKA. Williams, P^sq. 

This Dr. Price was Rev. Richard Price, a close friend of Dr. 
Franklin's, who published several strong pamphlets in advocacy of 
the American cause of liberty, and whom our Congress invited to 
become a citizen and aid in the financial affiiirs of the government, 
an invitation whicli he politely declined. 

It is interesting to stud}' his idea of a proper librar}' for a young 
Massachusetts town ; and a copy of the original catalogue (printed 
178G) is given as a guide thereto : — 

Clark's Works, 4 vols., folio. Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws, 2 vols. 

Hoadley's Works, 3 vols., folio. Blackstone's Commentaries, 4 vols. 

Barrows' Works, 2 vols., folio. Watson's Tracts, 6 vols. 

Ridgeley's Works, 2 vols., folio. Newton on the Prophesies, 3 vols. 

Locke's Works, 4 vols., octavo. Law on Religion, 1 vol. 

Sydney's Works, 1 vol., octavo. Priestley's Institutes, 2 vols. 



ADDENDA. 



71 



Priestley's Corruptions, 2 vols. 
Price and Priestley, 1 vol.* 
Lyndsey's Apology and Sequel, 2 vols. 
Abernethy's Sermons, 2 vols. 
Duchal's Sermons, 3 vols. 
Price's Morals, 1 vol. 
Price on Providence, 1 vol. 
Price on Liberty, 1 vol. 
Price on the Christian Scheme, 1 vol. 
Price's Sermons, 1 vol. 
l^eedham's Free State, 1 vol. 
West and Littleton on the Resurrec- 
tion, 1 vol. 
Stennet's Sermons, 2 vols. 

Addison's Evidences, 1 vol. 
•Gordon's Tacitus, 5 vols. 

Backus' History, 1 vol. 

Lardner on the Logus, 1 vol., 8vo. 

"Watts' Orthodoxy and Charity, 1 vol. 

Brainerd's Life, 1 vol. 

Bellamy's True Religion, 1 vol. 

Doddridge's Life, 1 vol. 

Bellamy's Permission of Sin, 1 vol. 

Fordyce's Sermons, 1 vol. 

Hemminway against Hopkins, 1 vol. 

Hopkins on Holness, 1 vol . 

Life of Cromwell, 1 vol. 

Fulfilling the Scriptures, 1 vol. 



Watts on the Passions, 1 vol. 
Watts' Logic, 1 vol. 
Edwards on Religion, 1 vol. 
Dickinson on the Five Points, 1 vol. 
Christian History, 2 vols. 
Prideaux's Connections, 4 vols. 
Cooper on Predestination, 1 vol. 
Cambridge Platform, 1 vol. 
Stoddard's Safety of Appearing, 1 vol. 
Burkett on Personal Reformation, 1 v. 
Barnard's Sermons, 1 vol. 
Shepard's Sound Believer, 1 vol. 
History of the Rebellion, 1 vol. 
Janeway's Life, 1 vol. 
Hopkin's System, 2 vols. 
American Preacher, 4 vols. 
Emmons' Sermons, 1 vol. 
Thomas' Laws of Massachusetts, 1 vol. 
American Constitutions, 1 vol. 
Young's Night Thoughts, 1 vol. 

Pilgrim's Progress, 1 vol. 

Ames' Oration, 1 vol. 

Spectators, 8 vols. 

Life of Baron Trenk, 1 vol. 

Cheap Repository, 2 vols. 

Moral Repository, 1 vol. 

Fitch's Poem, 1 vol. 

Erskine's Sermons, 1 vol. 



A few of the smaller ones must have been added from this side 
the water. A private librar}^ of 125 volumes for the use of the 
shareholders was added to the Franklin gift soon afterwards. 
These books were equally substantial. Still, in the dearth of 
reading of that time, even a folio of sermons was not unattractive, 
as the present writer can testify. 

The town had some difficulty in deciding by whom the Library 
might be used. At first it was limited to members of the parish. 
In November, 1788, the books were opened to the whole town. 
In June. 1789,. Mr. Emmons is directed by the town to lend out 
the books " according to the directions in the letter accompany- 
ing said library." But that letter has disappeared. In 1790 
they are opened '^ to the inhabitants of the town at large until the 
tow-n shall order otherwise." And so the matter has remained 
unto the present day. The Congregational pastor has been the 
-custodian, and sometimes for years uncalled upon to deliver a 
.book out of the antiquated collection. A committee was chosen 



72 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

in March, 1840, to look after the neglected donation, which they 
fonnd stowed away in its venerable book-case in a barn. The 
nltimate result of this and another investigation in 1856, was the 
forming of a Library Association, to which the town by vote com- 
mitted the care of the old Franklin and Social libraries. These 
are now together, and fox'ni a nucleus for annual additions, towards 
which the town appropriates "the dog money" and $400 per 
annum. 

From Libraries we pass naturally to 

IX. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Before this precinct was incorporated, in the winter of 1734-5, 
the first preacher sent amongst its few people was directed also to 
teach school for four months ; and this arrangement was continued 
by the town of Wrentham, employing different persons, until the 
precinct assumed the management of its own affairs. 

As earl>' as June, 1(585, Wrentham set apart a lot of twent}' to 
twenty-five acres for the support of schools. In March, 1695, a 
school-house was voted, sixteen feet square besides the chimney, 
and in the failure of a teacher, the selectmen kept the school one 
week each in turn. Among the earliest school teachers were 
Theodore Man and John Fales. In 1718 four separate schools are 
ordered, one at each cardinal point of the town. In 1728 the old 
Wrentham school-house of 1G95 is sold at auction. Feb. 11, 
1754, the school lands, which by successive grants had amounted 
to nearly fifty acres, were, by leave of the court, sold at auction ,^ 
the twenty-five acres at Stop river being started at £90. In 17G0, 
the lands between the two ponds (Blake's pond and the Mill pond, 
now Whiting's), which the Wrentham proprietors had donated to 
the town 30th January, 1744, on condition that they should be 
used for schools, were soldb}- order of the town for £158 15s. 8d., 
of which the west precinct were to have their share " as soon as set 
off into a town for the same use." 

What became of the Franklin share of this mone}'^ is not clear 
from the records. But in 1792, a claim to certain monej-s in the 
Wrentham treasury was referred to an outside committee — Daniel 
Perry, John Stone, and Elisha May — who adjudged £33 4s. to 
the town, a good part of which was absorbed in the costs of get- 
ting it. 



ADDENDA. 73 

The first grant of money by the town for schools was £200, in 
May 20, 1778, under the following directions : — 

Voted that the money granted, to be appropriated for the sup- 
port of Schools in this town the year ensuing, be and hereby is 
ordered to be expended in the following manner, viz : the several 
School Destricts in this town to have the same Bounds and Lim- 
mits as was usual Before this town was Incorporated, unless in the 
opinion of the Selectmen some alteration are necessary, which is 
left to their discretion to make if the}' think proper ; and that 
some time Before the Last day of June Next the Inhabitants of 
Each perticular Destrict shall give to the Selectmen the Number of 
Children Between the Age of four years and sixteen that live in 
each perticular destrict, and the Selectmen are hereby directed to 
Divide the School money by the Polls taking the whole number of 
Children in the town as above Described and ascertain to Each 
Destrict what Sum they have a Right to Expend, and the Inhabi- 
tants of Each Destrict shall have Liberty to hire School Masters, 
or Mistress, or both, they being such as shall be approved by the 
Selectmen to keep school in their Perticular District until their 
shair of the money is Expended. Provided the same be Accom- 
plished Before the Last Day of June 1779. — and in case any Dis- 
trict shall Neglect to Expend their part of the money by the time 
Perfixt without a sufficient Excuse to the Satisfaction of the 
Selectmen, the Remainder not Expended as aforesaid shall Re- 
main in the Treasury for the use of such a school as the town 
shall afterward order. 

One year later, May 19, 1779, the sum of £400 was granted 
for support of schools, with a similar vote as to mode of expend- 
ing the same. In 1780 the grant was £800. These sums were in 
a currency known as the " old emission," and of depreciated value. 
In 1781 the grant was £200, of new emission ; but in 1782 the 
grant was reduced to £80. 

The grants from year to year were about the same in amount 
until A. D. 1796, when the sum of $320 was granted, which amount 
was gradually increased until A. D. 1802, when $500 was granted. 
In 1814 $600 was granted, and in 1823 it was raised to$700. The 
grant for schools in 1839 was $1,000; in 1855, $1,600, and in 
1862 the sum of $1,750 was granted and apportioned to the sev- 
eral schools, in accordance with the recommendation of a special 
committee. In 1865 $2,500 was granted, and in 1868 $4,000 was. 
the sum granted, and the town voted to establish a High SchooL 



74 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

In 1873 the grant was raised to $6,000, which amount has been 
continued to the present time.* 

These grants have had various methods of subdi\4sion. From 
1778 until 1812 it was divided according to the number of children 
between four and sixteen, excepting in 1792, 1795 to 1797, when 
the division was by families. In 1813, and mainly until the aboli- 
tion of the district system, the distribution has been one-half by 
the number of families, and one-half^ b}' the number of children. 
In 1789 it was voted that any district neglecting to make return 
of the number of school children at a fixed time should forfeit its 
portion of the appropriation. 

The employment of teachers had been for many years entrusted 
to the selectmen. Afterwards, the teachers must be approved by 
the selectmen, but chosen b}' the districts. Next, the town 
appointed prudential committees to secure teachers. In 1827 the 
several districts were authorized to choose their own committees, 
and this became an annual vote, so far as appears, while the dis- 
tricts continued. 

At first the clergyman annually visited and catechised the 
schools, and it was a great day when the catechising came. It 
usually came in Ma}'. Notice was given on the Sabbath of the 
intended place and hour, and promptly gathered the freshl3'-washed 
and brushed scholars with their new summer apparel. The mo- 
ment the well-known chaise appeared the noise of fift}' children 
ceased, and each glided into a seat in silent, waiting expectation 
for the incoming of the minister. Everv scholar arose as he en- 
tered the room, and stood until he reached the desk. After a ver}^ 
short prayer they sat, and he began here or there as his eye 
chanced to fall, until every child had told his own and his parents' 
names, and had answered or failed to answer some question from 
the assembl3''s catechism. Some of the abashed ones' misquota- 
tions caused even the grave man in black to smile. 

It has been told, for example, that a lad, very bashful by na- 
ture and unusually tall for his years, had timidly doubled himself 
upon a low seat. AVhen called up in his turn he slowly rose and 
waited, blushing and abashed at his short name and awkward 
height. Quickly, as the liev. Doctors' manner was, came the 



* See Report of School Committee for 1877. 



ADDENDA. 75 

question, " Can you say the Lord's prayer?" "The — Lord's — 
Prayer," slowly stammered the confused youth, and gradually slid 
himself together again, like a telescope, back to his seat. It was 
a difficult moment for solemnity. 

These annual catechisings continued far into the present cen- 
tury and nearly unto the end of the reverend pastor's ministry, 
and until a sharper definition of the public school and the school 
committee came into full otiicial position. The first committee 
was chosen by the town in March, 1802. A list of the incumbents 
up to the present time is appended, with other town officers. The 
first report preserved in the town records dates March, 1810. 
Subsequently they are frequently copied by vote of the town. 
The}' generally and sometimes vigorously discuss the importance 
and requirements of popular education, and are not seldom ac- 
cepted with a vote of thanks from the town. 

The estabUshinent of school boundaries and the location of 
school-houses has been determined by the wants of the children. 
At first, a central school had to supply all. Before the separation 
from Wreutham others had been estal)lished. In 1791 liberty 
was given to the overflow of any district to attend any school in 
town where the teacher could conveniently receive them. In Jan- 
uary, 1795, a committee was instructed to report upon the needed 
number of school-houses, and where they should be located. In 
January. 1795. a committee was instructed to report upon the 
needed number of school-houses and where they should be located. 
In November following their report is received, recommending six 
districts and as many school-houses — namely, at River End, at 
Long AValk division, at Maj. Moses Knapp's division, " where it 
now is," at Capt. Asa Fairbanks', "not more than twentj' rods 
from Mine Brook," at Dea. James Metcalf s division, and at the 
meeting-house "on the East side of the way from the meeting- 
house to Mr. Emmons', near the corner of Hezekiah Fisher's 
land." But in 1800 these divisions suffered a rearrangement 
more in accordance with their after boundaries, and their names 
were changed to geographical designations. In 1822 the River 
End district was divided, and other divisions occurred until the 
number of schools was increased to ten — the present number of 
mixed schools. The central school, however, is graded into four 
departinents and six schools, with a total attendance the current 



76 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

year of 314. The number of attending school children in town is 
572. 

The materials are not discoverable for an}- particular notice of 
the " red school-houses," which once illuminated the cross-roads 
of the town. Their places have been filled by far more conven- 
ient and sightly buildings, erected b}' the town after the abolition 
of the district system. But of the present buildings there is no 
need of mention. 

The public schools, insufficient in length for the demands of the 
people, wei'e often prolonged by private subscriptions ; and many 
scholars annually resorted to Day's Academ}'^, in Wrentham, for 
higher instruction, especially in the classics for a college course. 
A graduate occasionally taught an extra term in the autumn. 

Requests from several persons encouraged the present writer to 
attempt a private school of a higher grade at his own charges, in 
the fall of 1835, after his graduation from Amherst College. The 
central district kindly offfered the use of its school-house. The 
tuition was placed at twenty-five and thirty-three cents per week, 
and a High School was opened with fifty-six scholars, of whom 
fourteen came from other towns. With such encouragement the 
school continued for several years, and with a constantly increas- 
ing patronage, until its term rolls counted sometimes nearly- a hun- 
dred names. Within the first 3'ear of its existence a large two- 
story building was erected b}- a stock company, with accommoda- 
tions for a hundred pupils, recitation-rooms, a large hall for pub- 
lic examinations, apparatus, etc. 

During the three years of the first principal's connection, this 
school counted on its roll the names of many scholars since well 
known and not a few renowned as educators and heads of import- 
ant institutions of instruction, as well as lawj-ers, physicians and 
ministers. A review of its first three catalogues is now to the 
writer a frequent and pleasant exercise, and the occasional meet- 
ing of old scholars a delightful revival of some of the brightest 
daj'S of his life. 

The subsequent career of the old Franklin High School, under 
Bigelow, Baker and others is not particularly known to the writer. 
Upon its subsidence, the building was occupied as a store, and is 
now fitted for dwellings. But though its cupola and bell are gone, 
and its front pillars and recess have disappeared, a halo of kindly 



ADDENDA. 77 

memories will linger about it still, at the western foot of the Com- 
mon, as long as the 3'oang eyes of 1835-40 can look upon its site. 

A HIGH SCHOOL 

was established b}' the town in April, 1868, and was oj^ened to 
pupils on May 20, with twenty-two scholars, and Miss Mary A. 
Bryant as principal. Since the close of her service the line of 
principals has been Annie E. Patten, Thomas Curie}', and Lucien 
I. Blake, the present occupant of the position. 

The educational facilities of Franklin have been especially en- 
larged l\y the founding of 

DEAN ACADEMY. 

We condense from its annual catalogues. " At the annual session 
of the Massachusetts Universalist Convention, held in Worcester, 
Oct. 18-20, 1864, the subject of a State denominational school, 
which should be of the highest grade below that of colleges, was 
brought to the attention of the council by Rev. A. A. Miner, D. D., 
President of Tuft's College. The council immediately appointed 
a, committee with full discretionary powers, with Rev. A. St. John 
Ohambre, of Stoughton, as chairman. 

This committee soon held a spirited public meeting in Boston. 
The parish in Stoughton offered $25,000 and an ehgible site. 
Oliver Dean, M. D., of Frankhn, proposed to give a tract of 
eight or nine acres which he had bought of the former estate of 
Rev. N. Emmons, D. D., $10,000 towards a building, and $50,000 
as a permanent fund. Dr. Dean's proj^osal was accepted, a 
charter obtained, trustees chosen, and a call for funds for building 
issued. The generous responses encouraged the trustees to secure 
plans for a seminary adequate to the apparent demands, and 
ground was broken in August, 1866. May 16, 1867, the corner- 
stone was laid with appropriate public ceremonies. The continual 
rise of prices of labor and material compelled to increased sub- 
scriptions, Dr. Dean's donations to the building arising to about 
$75,000. The edifice was finished and dedicated to its uses May 
28, 1868, with a dedicatory address by Rev. E. C. Bolles of Port- 
land, Me. The total cost of the building, exclusive of furniture 
and gas apparatus, was about $154,000. It was 220 feet front, 
the main center fifty feet by sixty deep, and two wings, each fifty- 



78 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

eight feet by forty-four in deptli, with still other wings projecting 
into the rear, and three stories high. The st^ie was French Lom- 
bardic and altogether was a ver}- appropriate and beautiful edifice. 

While the acadeni}' was being erected a school was begun, 
Oct. 1, 1866, in the vestr}' of the Universalist church, with forty- 
four pupils, under Mr. T. G. Senter as principal. The school was 
removed to the new edifice at the opening of the summer term 
of 1868. 

But during the night of July 31, 1872, this magnificent building 
with nearly all its contents was destroyed by fire. The friends of 
the school, however, speedily rallied from this sudden and stun- 
ning blow and began as soon as possible to rebuild upon the for- 
mer foundations. The school meanwhile was continued with en- 
couraging prospects in the Franklin House, which had been 
purchased by the trustees and citizens of the town for this purpose 

It was with great labor and many anxieties that the trustees 
pushed forward the work in their care. Desirous of furnishing 
the best facilities for education, they incorporated every improve- 
ment into their new building, and with so much success that they 
were able to present it for public dedication on June 24, 1874, and 
for class graduation exercises — less than two years from the 
destruction of its predecessor. The school removed to it the next 
term — September, 1874. 

The present building occupies substantially the same dimensions 
and diflTers externall}' very little from the previous one, except in 
architectural style, being Gothic. The internal arrangements arfr 
not surpassed by any other educational institution in the State ;. 
while its exterior brick walls, banded and corniced with sandstone, 
and rising to a fifth story in the center, with a lofty tower sixty 
feet high, add a feature to the beautiful scenery which attracts 
and holds the eye of every visitor with admiration of its chaste 
yet impressive proportions. A view is given on the opposite page. 

Dean Academy continued open to both sexes until 1877, when a 
demand for a j'oung ladies' school in the Universalist church de- 
cided the trustees to open the institution for young ladies only. 
Under this new departure it began the fall term of the present 
year, 1877-8, with about fifty pupils. There is not yet sufficient 
time to test the present policy. But the trustees say " th& 
promise is that the school will be eminently successful in the 



ADDENDA. 79 

work it has undertaken. It will continue to be Jirst. class in every 
respect, and to furnish a thorough education." 

Next to the school, as one of the educational agencies of a 
town, may come a brief notice of 

X. THE POST-OFFICE. 

This is furnished chiefl}^ b}' Capt. H. C. Fisher, now of Haver- 
hill. 

There was no properl}' appointed post-office until about 1819, 
The few newspapers and occasional letters for the first century 
of the settlement came b}' chance neighborl}- hands from Wrent- 
ham, where they were left by the carriers between Providence and 
Boston. As late as 1812 the}' were brought from South Wrentham 
on Saturda3-s and left at Capt. Nathaniel Adams' store (after 
Davis Thayer's). Ilermon C. Fisher, then about 15, was emploj'ed 
as carrier by several families. As there were but three mails per 
week between Boston and Providence, the weekl}^ amount for 
Franklin was not a heavy horse-back load. But the interest in 
the events of the war of 1812 paid for the long weekly journey 
through Wrentham Center and Guinea, to the old tavern on the 
Boston and Providence road. About 1815, David Fisher, keeper 
of the onl}' tavern then in Wrentham, was appointed postmaster, 
and the Franklin mail was brought from there ; but North Frank- 
lin letters came from Captain Felt's office, recently opened in 
Medwa}' Village. About 1819, Eli Richardson built the stone 
store at City Mills in Franklin and secured a post-office there. 
As there was some business rivalry between the Center and the 
City, of which Davis Thaj'er and Eli Richardson were the expo- 
nents respectively, the Center was not pleased that a march had 
been stolen upon them. True, Mr. Richardson engaged to bring 
all letters and papers which belonged to the Center to meeting 
in his sulky box ever}- Sunda}-, and H. C. Fisher took the package 
from the carriage to Major Tha3^er's store for distribution ; but 
the letters sometimes miscarried, the inventory charges did not 
agree, and after two uneasy years the Center moved in earnest 
for a post-office of its own. The result of a somewhat bitter 
conflict was the securing of an office, with Davis Thaj'er as post- 
master, and David Metcalf as mail-carrier twice a week from the 
city to the Center. He came regularly with his pouch, but as Mr. 



80 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Richardson still kept the keys, nothing came of it. After a deal 
of negotiating with the Department, quiet and order finally ob- 
tained, and in 1822 the office became regularly established as 
" Franklin, D. Thayer, P. M." From that date the succession of 
postmasters has been Spencer Pratt, Theron C. Hills, David P. 
Baker, Cj'rus B. Snow, Charles W. Stewart, D. P. Baker again, 
A. A. llusseque assistant, Smith Fisher, J. A. AVoodward occu- 
pant since 1871. The office has been as movable as the incum- 
bent, being held in any most convenient store at the Center. 

The income at first did not exceed $50 per quarter, of which the 
postmaster received about thirty per cent., but its business in- 
creased rapidly as soon as differences were composed. In 1864 
a salary was affixed of $480 per annum, in 1866 at $540, and in 
1868 at $700. In 1869 the office became a money-order office, 
and in 1870 the salary raised to $900, and in 1872 to $1,000. 

XI. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

The early ecclesiastical history of Franklin has been mainly 
embodied in the preceding address. A still fuller sketch of it is 
contained in the Centennial Sermon of Rev. Elam Smalley, in 
1838, which leaves ver}' little to be added except some notice of 
the regularly settled pastors of the 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

Rev. Elias Haven, the first minister, was a native of Framing- 
ham. He descended from Richard Haven of the West of Eng- 
land, who settled in Lj'un in 1645, and had twelve children. 

Moses, his youngest son, born in Lj-nn 20th Ma}', 1667, mar- 
ried Mary Ballard, and had eight children. He moved to Framing- 
ham before 1705, and was deacon in 1717. 

Joseph, his oldest son, born 8th Februar}', 1689, married 
Martha Haven, and had eleven children. He moved to Hopkinton 
in 1724; was one of the founders of the church there and its 
deacon. He filled the highest offices in town. 

Elias, the third son and child of Joseph, was born in Framing- 
ham, 16th April, 1714 ; graduated at Harvard 1733, and dismissed 
from the church in Hopkinton, 29th October, 1738, to become the 
pastor of the church in Franklin. He married Mary Messenger, 
oldest daughter of Rev. Henry Messenger of Wrentham (bom 



ADDENDA. 81 

28th August, 1722) aud had seven children. Rev. Mr. Messen- 
ger's family was a peculiarl}^ ministerial household. His daughter 
Esther married Rev. Amariah Frost, first minister of Milford ; 
Sarah married first Dr. Cornelius Kollock of A\'rentham, and sec- 
ond Rev. Benjamin Caryl, first minister of Dover ; while Elizabeth 
was the wife of Rev. Joseph Bean, her father's successor, aud his 
son James was the first minister in Ashford, Ct. 

Four only of Rev. Mr. Haven's seven children reached ma- 
turity. These were : — 

2. Thomas, born 28th August, 1744, for whose histor}^ see 
biographical sketches. 

3. Elias, born 11th November, 1745, married Elizabeth Bright 
of Dedham, and probably' removed there. 

6. William, born 20th June, 1751. of whom nothing more is 
known. 

7. Mary, born Ma}', 1753, and lived in Dedham. 

Rev. Mr. Haven's ministrj' , continued through much weakness 
of body and frequent suspensions, was very successful in results. 
One hundred and seventy-one members were added to the church 
during his sixteen years, most of them during the great revival 
of 1741. But consumption early marked him for a victim, and 
the last five years of his life were broken by long intervals of in- 
ability to preach. The records of the church and the parish show 
the devotion of the people by their frequent S3'mpathetic votes 
and cheerful continuance of his salar}-, while they suppUed the 
pulpit at their own expense, and a grant of £26 to his family 
after his death. The town erected a stone over his grave in the 
^central yard, on which they sa}- : — 

Who are desirous of giving 

And of perpetuating 

Their public Testimony 

To his faithful ministry and pious Life 

By which tho' dead he yet speaketh 
To his once beloved and grateful Flock. 

Rev. Caleb Barnam, or Baknum, the second pastor, was of 
Danbmy, Ct. His immigrant ancestor, Thomas Barnum, was first 
•of Fairfield, then in Norwalk, and afterwards one of eight original 
settlers of Danbury ; where Caleb was born 30th June, 1737, the 
son of Thomas and Deborah. He graduated at Princeton, IS". J., 
1757, and A. M. in 1768 at both Princeton and Harvard. 

6 



82 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

Mr. Biinium began bis ministiy iii this tOAvn in troublous tiines^ 
induced, nia^^be, by the six years' vacanc}^ in the pastorate, and 
continued perhaps by tlie hymn-book war and known decisiveness 
of FrankUn people. The minister, it nuist be admitted, was also 
prompt and positive in his opinions, and not therefore skillfully 
successful in adjusting the ditlerenees of others. Yet he carried 
with him the confldeuce and support of a large majority of the 
church, and it was with great reluctance and xevj slowly' that they 
consented to his resignation. The records of the time seem to 
show that the ditt'erenees were more between the precinct and the 
church than with the minister. He, as a central figure between 
them, received the attacks of both parties, and as ustially results, 
he was demolished in their encounters. A communication from 
the precinct to the church. ado[)ted 12th March, 1764. illustrates 
the above statement : — 

We have had Yours of ye Tweh-e of February' under considera- 
tion and have Left it to be more fully answered by Capt. Jn. Golds- 
bury, and others, a Committee Chosen at a Pro. meeting on ye (> 
of February aunodomimi 1764. But Can bj- no means C!oncur 
with you in singing either Doct. Watts vertion of the Psalms, or 
Tate & Brady's with the Hymns. But do still adhear to our vote 
of ye 21 of June, 17G2, and Desire ye Church would Concur with 
us in Singing the Old Version of 3'e Psalms in ye Congregation ; 
Leaving the church to thear Own Choree to Sing What Version of 
Psalms they Please when the}' assemble by themselves for Divine 
Worship, but if the Church shall not think Proper to Concur with 
ye Precinct in Singing the Old Version of the Psalms, That you 
would proceed to Send out ye Letters missive to the churches 
Chosen to Set in Ecclesiastical Council to hear and advise us un- 
der our Difficulties and that the Precinct Clerk wate upon ye Rev. 
Mr. Baruam with a Coppy of this Vote and with a Coppy of the 
Votes of the Precinct Past at precinct meeting on the 6 of Febru- 
ary 1764, Desiring they may be Laid before the Church as Soon 
as may be with Convenience'. 

The council alluded to was convened 17th April, 1764, and its 
result accepted 7th Maj-, and expense of council, £6. lis. 2 d., 
paid by the precinct. That result sajs : — 

We look upon that which the church acted in voting another 
version of the Psalms difterent from what the Christian assembly 
in this Parish from their original foundation had been in the pub- 
lic use of without their consulting the Congi'egation was xmadvis- 
edlj' done. Forasmuch as the whole of the religious society are 



ADDENDA. 8S 

evidently interested therein. Notwithstanding we think the Pre- 
cinct were very assuming in Pretending to settle sd controverted 
point by a Parish vote and demanding or requesting the church's 
concurrence, forasmuch as consistent with our congregational con- 
stitution it has always been considered as the church's right to go 
before in matters of divine worship, and in regard to many con- 
curring circiunstances attending the church's vote of introducing 
Dr. Watts' version we are of opinion that it is advisable that the 
congregation rather acquiesce in said vote and sing the version of 
Dr. AVatts in part together with our New^ England version in part ; 
which version said congregation have Lately assaid to Revive, and 
that, considering the uncomfortable and unhappy state which must 
attend the people in maintaining controversies of this kind, we 
adAise the Rev. Pastor and church to condescend thereto for the 
Present, that ye may all have an opportunity, hoping withal in 
in due time 3'ou'll improve it that 3"e maj' all unite in one version. 

The h3'mual discord was accompanied by other troubles to the 
pastor. Some withdrew on suspicion of his unsoundness ' ' on the 
doctrine of universal redemption and assurance of faith," and 
several left to attend Separatist meetings ; but the majorit}' of the 
church vindicated the pastor and rebuked the dissentients. Still, 
Mr. Barnum persisted in pressing his dismissal, until it was 
reluctantly granted. In his ministry of eight years, forty were 
added to the church by profession and eight b}' letter. 

Mr. Barnum was installed over the first church in Taunton, 2d 
Februar}', 1769. When the news of the fight at Lexington reached 
Taunton, he enthusiasticall}'^ addressed his people upon the duties 
of the crisis, and himself entered the army of the patriots, 3d 
May, 1775, and was chaplain of the Twenty-fourth Regiment, 
Col. John Greaton, then near Boston, 10th February, 1776. He 
followed his regiment to New York and to Montreal. On his 
retui'n he was taken sick at Ticonderoga and was discharged 24th 
July. But death arrested him at Pittsfield on the 23d of August, 
at the age of 39. 

Mr. Barnum was a full}^ proportioned man of over six feet in 
height and of "vigorous muscle, which, if tradition be reliable, he 
did not decline to use when occasion demanded ; as when he once 
took down a blatant wrestler who had made himself obnoxious. 
A portrait preserved of him presents a very majestic and author- 
itative presence in his ample wig. 

Mr. Barnum married 13th June, 1761, Priscilla, daughter of 



84 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Rc'A'. Caleb like, of Sturbridge, and sister to Col. Nathan Rice, of 
Ilingham. aid-de-camp to General Lincoln, in the Southern cam- 
paign. The}- had eight children : — 

1. Caleb, born 11th April, 17G2, and married Nancy Paine, of 
Thetford, Vt. 

2. Priscilla, born 1st April, 17G4, and married Capt. David 
Vickery, of Taunton. 

3. Deborah, born 27th October, 1766, and married Thomas S. 
Bailies, of Dighton. 

4. George, born 23d May, 17G8, and married Sally Cutler, of 
Warren. 

5. Mary, died young. 

6. Thomas, born 30th October, 1772 and married Sally Abra- 
ham, of New York. 

7. Anna, born 30th December, 1773. and married Rufus Child, 
of Woodstock, Ct. 

8. Polh'. born 11th October, 1775, and married Rev. Peter 
Nourse, of Ellsworth, Me. 

Of the third minister. Rev. Nathanael Emmons, D. D., a 
portrait is given as he was at about 60 years of age. The ex- 
haustive memoir by Prof. E. A. Park, D. D., has left nothing 
for addition or correction. It is no dubious commendation of his 
character and ministry that his name is still a brightness in the 
memory of all the elder citizens of Franklin, and even mellowed 
into a sunnier radiance b}' the lapse of years. So strong was the 
regard to him personall}' that his namesakes are found in mam' a 
family and in man^' a town and State, while anecdotes of him and 
his pithy apothegms are still current — bright as new coin, and 
more valuable. We find him a member, and often the chairman, 
of important committees chosen b}- the town on matters of moral 
interest. Yet he was never a dictator, but carried the public 
mind by his clear and convincing logic. He sharpened the intel- 
lects of his people and made them alert, discriminating and clear- 
headed thinkers, having settled opinions of their own. He 
ruled, therefore, only by always moving in the line of their own 
intelligent convictions. They knew him to be simply following 
truth and they had to follow his guidance, because he justified 
every step of his waj'. 

In cue aspect, at least, Dr. Emmons has been and is sometimes 



ADDENDA. 85 

still misrepresented. He was not curt, dogmatic, andre pellant. 
He was not imsocial and austere to his people, nor a bugbear to 
the young. But he invited and received us cordially into his 
study, drew us out of our bashfulness, and always dismissed us 
with new thoughts and higher impulses. He was affable, genial, 
and enjoyed a joke as keenly as any of us. The young people of 
his day still remember his indescribable chuckle with which he 
followed his salUes of wit. He loved to test us with Socratic 
questions, and highly enjoyed our escapes from entanglements ; 
and herein lay his power over our generation. He won our con- 
fidential regard and never wrenched it afterwards by the tension 
of am' inconsistent demands. The writer hopes to be pardoned 
for adding so much in vindication of the aged pastor who stimu- 
lated him as well as so many others in the pursuit of education 
and whom some who never knew him have painted as distant, 
morose, and forbidding in manners. It is a slander on the man. 

Dr. Emmons' active ministry continued about fifty-four years 
—from 21st April, 1773, to 28th May, 1827. He died 23d Sep- 
tember, 1840, at nearly 9G. He often said that he should never 
have ventured to settle over the Franklin church — so vigor- 
ously divided in feeling — if Mr. Niles had not just before him 
preached to that people his two sermons with such effect during 
his supply of the Frankhn pulpit. One sermon was from the text, 
' • I ask for what intent ye have sent for me ? " wherein he de- 
scribed the objects for which some people wanted a minister, and 
the proper business of the ministry. The other sermon was on 
the text, " I hear that there are divisions among you," in which 
their discords and their consequences were plainl}' and faithfully 
set forth. 

Twice during his ministr}', in 1781 and again in 1781, Dr. Em- 
mons, discouraged with his apparentl}^ fruitless labors, asked a 
dismission, which his people unanimously declined to grant. An 
extensive and powerful revival followed before the latter year 
closed, from which about seventy were added to the church. It 
was the end of his discouragements. During his active life 308 
were gathered into the church. His letter of resignation, after his 
fainting in the pulpit, is worthy, for its loving simpUcity, of a 
place in this history : — 



gg HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Fkanklix. May 28, 1827. 
To the Members of the Church and to the Members of the Religious 

Society in this Place. 

Brethren «fc Friends : I have sustained the Pastoral ReUitiou 
to vou for more than fifty years, which is a long ministerial life. 
The decays of nature and increasing infirmities of old age and my 
present feeble state of health convince me that it is my duty to 
retire from the field of labor which 1 am no longer able to occupy 
to my own satisfaction, nor to your benefit. I therefore take the 
liberty to inform you that I can no longer supply your pulpit and 
perform any ministerial labor among you ; and at the same time 
that I renounce all claims upon you for any future ministerial sup- 
port, relying intirelv on vour wisdom and goodness to grant or 
not to grant any gratuity to your aged servant during the residue 
of his life. ' ^ ' Nathakael Emmons. 

The parish responded with a grant of $500 per annum. 

Dr. Emmons was descended from Samuel Emmons of Cambridge, 
and was the son of Dea. Samuel, Jr., and lluth (Cone) Emmons 
of East Haddam. Ct. He was born 1st May, 1745, and gradu- 
ated at Yale College 1767. 

He married, fii'st. Deliverance French of Braintree, 6th April, 
1775. She died 22d June, 1778, and her two children in Septem- 
ber. Second, Martha Williams, of Hadley, 4th November, 1779, 
by whom he had six children. 

1. Martha, wife of Willard Gay, Esq., of Dedhani. 

2. Deliverance. 

3. Sarah. 

4. Mary, wife of Rev. Jacob Lie, D. D.. of Medway. who is 
still living with her husband in a serene old age, and the mother 
of two sons in the ministry — Revs. Jacob, Jr., and Alexis W. Ide. 

5. Williams, B. U. , 1805. Lawyer in Augusta, Me., Senator and 
Judge of Probate. 

6. Erastus. Major, aid-de-camp to General Crane ; died young. 
Mrs. Emmons died 2d August, 1829. and he married, third, Mrs. 

Abigail M. Mills of Sutton, 18th September, 1831, who lived to 

be over 90. 

A view of the home of Dr. Emmons in Franklin is inserted 
here, as perhaps the most suitable. - It stood on the north corner 
of Main and Emmons streets. The old button-wood tree near 
his study windows is still flourishing, as well as two apple trees 
on its western side ; but the house itself was removed some years 



i"ifcfe>r''.'fc ' , 



3 o- 




ADDENDA. 07 

ago, and now does duty as a tenement-house, as historic buildings 
are wont to do in our hurrjing age. 

Rev. El AH Smalley, D. I)., was settled as the successor — not 
colleague — of Dr. Emmons, 17th June, 1829. After a nine years' 
pastorate, he was dismissed 5th July, 1838, to take charge of the 
Union church, Worcester, where he was installed September 19. 
He remained here until 1853. when he was dismissed to go to the 
Fourth Presbyterian church in Troy, N. Y. He was compelled 
by ill health to I'elinquish this charge not long after. But a voy- 
age to P'urope failed to restore him, and he died verj^ soon after 
his return, in New York city, oOth July, 1858, at the early age of 
58. 

Dr. Smalley was a native of Dartmouth. He succeeded by his 
own exertions in fitting for college, and graduated at Brown Univer- 
sity 1827, and Doctor of Divinity 1849. He studied theology with 
Rev. Otis Thompson, of Rehoboth, supporting himself as he had 
•done in college by teaching singing-schools, in which he was sin- 
gularl}' adept. Dr. Smalley married Louisa J., daughter of Gen. 
Abiel and Elizabeth Washburn, of Middleboro, and left two chil- 
dren, Louisa Jane, for several years teacher of music in the 
Wheaton Female Seminar^', Norton, now resident in Boston, and 
George W. (See notices of graduates.) Mrs. Smalley died at 
Middleboro 7th June, 1874. and was l)uried b}' the side of her 
husband in Tro}-, N. Y. 

Dr. Smalley's ministr}' in this town, though following the long 
and thorough fidelity and renown of Dr. Enunons, was still most 
pleasant and prosperous. It was confessedly his happiest pasto- 
rate, and the survivors of his people lament to this daj'that he did 
not see it his duty to remain in the country parish where all were 
so read}' to do him honor. His memor}' is still cherished with 
tender affection in the families that knew of his suave and gra- 
cious manners without as well as within the pulpit. 

Rev. Tertius Dunning Southworth was installed the fifth 
pastor of the church, 23d January, 1839, and was dismissed 25th 
April, 1850, after a ministr}' of eleven j-ears. 

Mr. Southworth was son of Rev. James and Mary (Dennison) 
Southworth, pastor of the Congregational church, Bridgewater, 
N. Y., and descendant of Constant Southworth, of Pl^'mouth, 
whose mother, Alice, was wife of the Sir Richard Southworth, 



88 IIIST<ii;V (»F I'KANKIJN. 

kiii^litcMl by .liiiiK's I, mihI iiric'rwunl.s wilV; of (lov. Willi;uii IJr.'id- 
I'ord. lie was born in Ikuiiic, N. V., 2r)lli .Inly, IMOl, ^linlniileil 
III ll;iniill(in lM27 ; was one year ai Aiiltnin 'riicolot^ical Seminary, 
and <^nadnat('d a(, Andovcr 182*J ; onlaiiu'd at llica, N. Y., 7lli 
October, \h:',2. Inslalle<l at Clareniont, N. II., IStli June, IS.'M, 
and left in snniiner of |.s;5.S to (lonie to l-'rankliii. After loaviiiff 
Franklin he Hpent six months in Lyndon, V't., then in Wliitehick, 
AVashin^ton (ronnl,y, N. \. lie preaelied slat(vll\ there and at 
I'ownai and IJennin^ton, \'l., Cor n(^a,rly live; yearH, having ti 
seliool at the same tinu; in his lionse. Tlienee lie went to IMoaHiint 
I'rairlo, Wis., for ten years, |iart of Hie limr' innh'r coniniiHHion ol" 
the .American Home .Mission Society, until a rhenmatie feviM' (lis- 
al)led him from fnrther Hervi<'e. In I. SO!) he retnrned to his early 
homo in Uridgcu-.-dcr, .\. ^'., wliere lie died 2d Ani;nst, l'S7l, and 
was l)nrie(| in the silken siii'|»lice ii,iven him liy the ladies oC l"'rank- 
lin some 1liir(\ years IteCore. 

Mr. Sonthworth m.-irricd M;irt ha, only (lan!j,iiter ol' Luther and 
Martha (Niles) VVai'ren, of Weat lierslleld, V't. She was born in 
Haverhill, N. II., and <2:ra(hiated at the Ilartlord P'emale Seminary 
i)i IM;;7. She now riisides in Sprinulield, \'t. They had no chil- 
dren. 

Kcv. Saimii.i. I Iunp sneeeeded K'ev. Mr. Soiit liwort h as pastor, 
being inst.alled llh Decemlier, IS.")*). where he rem;iine<| nntil his 
dismission Cth .Inly, bsc I . 

IMr. Ilnnl was a native of W'esti /Mtleiioro, the son of Deacon 
Richard .and Aim ( I Iimii)hrey) lliinl. born lM|h March, LSIO. 
No graduated at Amherst Colleg(! IH;52, and .afterwards tanght the 
academy in Southampton, Muhk., also in Sonth.'impton, L. I. 
FromlH.'Jdto l.s.">« hc^ studied theology in I'liiKMiton, N. .1., and, 
after sn|)plying Hie jmlpit a ye.ar in Manslic^ld, he; was ordained in 
Natick, 17tli.Iiily, l.s.",|». In May, 1850, was dismisHcd, .and on 
December I following was settled in I^'raiiklin. After fonrteiMi 
years of good sc-rvice he was dismissed in IHO'L He n(!xt, entered 
the 8ei*vice of the American Missionary AsHociation, in establish- 
ing scliools among Freedmeii. He became! aHSoeiated in 1HG8 
with Hon. Henry Wilson, aftcsrwards Vice-1'resident, and his for- 
mer parishionei'. He w;is his piiv.ate seei'elaiy, and aided liini in 
l>reparing his work, ''TIh; Kise and J'':ill of (he Slave I'owc^r in 
America," and edited the last volume after Mr. Wilson'H deccKwe. 



ADDENDA. 89' 

Mr. Hunt married lirst Mary, daughter of JVIaj. .7 oseph Foster, 
of Southampton, L. 1. ; afterwards Abigail B., daugiiter of Willis 
Fisher, of Franklin; and third Mrs. Homer, widow of Samuel 
Homer, Esq., of Boston. He has living a son and two daughters, 
of his first wife. 

Since tliis page was written Mr. Hunt lias died in Boston, 23d 
July, 1H78. 

Rev. Geokoe A. Peltox was called by tlus churcli, 18th May, 
1865, and was installed Dth August, as appears by the records of 
the church, for one year. But Uq continued more than a year, 
until he withdrew for a A\^estern field. The years 18G7-9 he spent 
in Bethel, Ct. Thence he went, in l<S(;i), to Candor, N. Y. ; after 
four years he removed to Groton, N. Y., where he remained until 
1877, when he went to Morrisville, Madison count}'', N. Y., where 
he still remains as acting pastor to the Congregational church in 
that village. 

Rev. LuTiiEii Keene was the eighth regularl}' installed pastor 
of the old church. He was a native of Milo, Me., born 30tli 
January, 1830, and son of Luther and Lj'dia (Hopkins) Keene. 
He graduated at Amherst College, 1859, and at Bangor 18G2. In 
October following he was settled as pastor of the Union Congre- 
gational church, in North Brookfield. At the close of a five years' 
pastorate he was installed here, 9th October, 1867. His success- 
ful and very promising ministry was brought to an luiexpected 
close 17th April, 1874, b}' his sudden and widely lamented death. 
But his l)rief labors were marked b_y several permanent results ; 
not the least being a nearly doubled membership in the church, 
the present conunodious parsonage, and the beautiful meeting- 
house in which the centennial services were held, and which so 
many visitoi's admired for its chaste }n'oportions. Mr. Keene left 
no children. His widow still lives in Bangor, Me., to lament her 
irreparable loss. 

Since Mr. Keene's decease the church has had no pastor. Its- 
pulpit has been supplied by yearly engagements or stated supplies, 
who can leave only transient impressions on the community and 
liable to be obscured, if not obliterated, by the next incumbent — 
a policy which this ancient and influential church can well aft'ord 
to exchange for the ' ' more excellent way " under which their 
fathers grew strong in numbers and in stabilitv. 



90 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

THE OLD MEETING-HOUSE 

is the center of countless associations, binding eveiy New England 
child to his home and his youth. In the early days, when there 
was but one sanctuary- in a town, it was the common center for a 
thousand tender hearts. In it and around it boy friendships were 
formed, and even deeper alhances were begun. Our towns have 
lost one unifying power through the multiplication of sanctuaries, 
by breaking up that central house which once rallied weekly all 
the sons and daughters as to a common home. Homely and un- 
comfortable to our ideas it might be, but it treasured the loves and 
hopes, the gTiefs and the consolations of all the tamihes of the 
town. 

Of the first meeting-house perhaps enough was said in the ad- 
dress. Of the second edifice we add a few further particulars. 

The question of a new and larger building was raised as early 
as 1770; but such diftering opinions obtained and the exigencies 
of the Revolutionary AVar were so pressing that nothing eftective 
was done for seventeen years. The frequent refusals'of the town 
to repair the old house indicate the foregone conclusion that a 
new one is to be built. 

In 1784, April 26, £200 is voted to procure materials towards 
the new meeting-house. But in 1785, October 3d, it is voted that 
"the constable pay back the money collected for the meeting- 
house and return the tax-bill into the town clerk's office, and that 
the town clerk pull ofl^ the seal of the warrants and write on the 
back that thej^ are null and void," and that a committee "view 
the meeting-house and report what is best to be done to repair it." 
These repairs, chiefly patching the shingles, supplying glass to the ' 
upper windows and boarding the lower, amounted to £6 2s. lOd. 

But in 1787, December 3, the new meeting-house party gain 
the ascendency and proceeds forthwith to work. Samuel Leth- 
bridge, Asa AVhiting, Ens. Joseph Whiting are sent to bargain 
with Ens. John Adams for the " 34-rod spot." They report the 
purchase of the nine acres of land constituting the present Com- 
mon. Another committee of thirteen report that " the house be 
et long with a porch at each end 14 feet square, and the said 
house be 40 feet wide, with 50 pews on the lower floor and 10 in 
the gallery ; the windows to contain 24 squares each, the glass to 



91 

ADDENDA. 



be 8 by 1(1 i"cl.es.» A tax of £300 is levied and ■' tlie parisk" is 
divided into eioht classes with one eollectov fov each class. These 

i' : Xtl-s ave to choose a chai^an. ^^f^^^ 
of materials 1.V a special committee to each class, and aftix a 

iiron materials fm-nishcd, except shingles; all m^cnals to be 
delivered on the spot l>.y the 15th of Aprd next. 1 <»b. 

December 31st 'it is voted to sell the pews at pnbhc vendue to 
the hrvtlst bidde as per plan, and to bid for choices, each pew 
So be the pnrchascr-s property, his heirs and assrgns fo - 

houseTe clapboarded with the best sawed cla,^30.ards, sh.ng d 
S white-pine shingles, and enclosed with <f^ ^J^^ 
boards- floors to be of best pitch-pine ; stangle-nails of co d rron 
'.wtirgM; and Santnel Lethbridge, Peter WhiUng, a.rd De. 
James Metcalf are chosen superintending '^<"--';^^'- ^^^I'^Z 
instructed "to superintend and t,ake ^«-'-'.- «^ ^^^f,:,"- 
Meetin..-house be built iu this town m a manner and form a„ieea 
be to the rates passed from time to time for that purpose; and it 
tl be he bus ness of the Committee .» order and toect wh^e 
the timber and stuff shall be laid, prepair and order the Spo for 
Iti^u^ procure Workmen and Labourers to do the work tu^.e 
ea^ha^ oood stones be brought and laid for the foundatron 
r LZTsion for boarding and Lodging the ^'o'''-- "-'l^ 
the time when to begin to frame, and the D,^- -'^^ '"JJ"^; *';''. 

building and make all Necessary P'»"-°'V''"*''"" finish 
cure allsuch Material of every Kind as may be necessai5_to fim^h 
the house, Excepting such as other ConVtees are Directed to pro 
nrc. Arid the Selectmen are directed .at the K-'l-f »' ^^ 
Com'tee to give Orders upon the Treasurer iu f-»''' "^exZS 
for such sums of Money as may be Necessary for '^n Expen* 
ture in Compleating ye work as above du-ec e< , "^"^^ ^ j:'^; ^'^ 
shall keep au Exact account of their time and l-^^l'^"!'*""^ "' ^^ 
Money Rccd and Expended and for wh.at purpose in a Book for 
ZZu purpose, .and May if they tUmk Necessaiy jpomt 
Clerk to Assist them who shall have a Reasonable allow, uce lor 
his Services, and sd Com'tee are Directed to take Eeceipts for all 



92 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 



Moneys paid out where the sum is more then 15 shill, and shall 
hiy there Book Befoi-e the Town for inspection at an}- time when 
properh' called for." 

At the next meeting, Jan, 7, 1788, the number of pews w^as 
increased to fiftj'-five, and the pew next to the pnlpit stairs was set 
apart to the minister's family. The rest of the pews were sold 
agreeal)ly to a previous vote. The highest price paid was £17 
IGs. 8d., by Asa Fairbanks. Jr., and James Metcalf. The total 
sales amounted to £492 Cs. -Id. 




THE rtJJD MEETINO-HOUSK. 

(Frmii memory.) 

Jnly 4, 1788, a vote of thanks was given to Hezekiah Fisher 
•' for his present of the glass to the meeting-house." 

December 18, voted to finish the meeting-house next summer, 
and with banisters to the pews. 

June 8, 1789, allowed the building committee to use any part 
of the old meeting-house in finishing the new. 

October 12, a committee is chosen to sell the old house, or if not 
disposed • of within twenty days to pull it down — the latter fate 



ADDENDA. 93 

probably befalling it, and also a committee " to order where noon 
houses and stables shall be l)uilt, and to mark out the bounds of 
the Common." 

A view of this old meeting-house is inserted on the opposite 
page. It is drawn from the still vivid picture on our memory, 
and will revive pleasant thoughts in the minds of our old inhabi- 
tants of their 3'oung days. 

The cost of the meeting-house, as rendered by the committee 
to the town 7th March. 1791, is as follows : — 

Lumber at Boston £57 19s. 3d. 

Carting from Boston 16 19s. 3d. 2 

Rum, Sugar, Molasses & Lemons at Boston 12 6s. 3d. 

Lickquers purchased at home 3 3s. 4d. 

Cost of raising tlie liouse 26 8s. 9d. 

Nails and other Iron ware at Boston 15 7s. 5d. 

" " " " " " home 25 15s. 2d. 

Painting, Tarring & Glazing 73 6s. 5d. 

Boards, Clapboards & Shingles at home 33 5s. Od. 

Plastering & Whitewashing 18 4s. 3d. 2 

Underpinning the house 26 12s, 5d. 

Boarding the Workmen 81 14s. 8d. 

Carpenter's Work 233 Os. 8d. 

Doorstones & Paving round the liouse 25 Is. 3d. 

Window Weights 5 18s. 4d. 

Cost of the Ciirtain (behind the pulpit) 3 7s. 3d. 

Expenses of the Committee 69 3s. 7d. 

£726 3s. 4d. 

DONATIONS. 

Hezekiali Fisher to purchase the Glass £29 4s. 4d. 3 

Nathaniel Thayer 2 10s. 7d. 3 

Jonathan Wales 1 I6s. Od. 

Josiah Hawes 14 3s. Od. 

Nathan Man 1 3s. 6d. 1 

£35 8s. 8d. 3 

Total of class tax £293 17s. Id. 1 

Received from Sale of Pews 622 lis. Od. 

Interest on Securities for Pews 13 17s. 6d. 

From the Old House 13 12s. 6d. 

£943 18s. Id. 1 

Total cost of meeting-house £1,054 9s. 2d. 1 

Or at the then value 33,514 86 

The town seems to have been as much obscured as we have been 
by these footings, for thej' demurred at the charges of the com- 



94 HISTOEY OF FRANKLIN. 

mittee, and appointed auditors to examine the accounts. In 1794, 
Marcli 10, the}- reported as charged to the cost of the house £748 
14s. 7d. 3, of which the buil<ling committee had received onl}-- £730 
9s. 2d. 3, wliile he balance had been charged twice to them. 
The town voted that this overcharge of £18 5s. 5d. be paid to the 
building committee uith interest for four years, and receipts in 
full were exchanged. As tlie cost of the house is given in the 
records as £1,054 9s. 2d. 1, we suppose the cost of preparing the 
land, etc., must be included in this amount. 

In 1806 the porch at the east end of the meeting-house was ex- 
alted into a belfiy, to contain a clock and bell which had been 
presented to the parish. This addition cost $1,462.44. The bell 
and clock cost $745. 

Further than this simple item of cost we have been unable to 
go. The volume of parish records of the proper date has evaded 
our search and that of the committee. In some change of clerks 
it failed of a passage to the office of the new incumbent, and the 
names of the donor or donors of the clock and bell must remain 
undiscovered. Though both clock and bell live to tell the hours, 
upon the new church, they do not tick a hint of their histor3% 

The house remained thus fm-uished and unaltered until 1840. 
But it passed through an experience with the painters in 1830, 
which deserves a sentence. While the workmen were painting 
the belfty the bell became quite seriousl}- bespattered. It oc- 
curred to some bright genius to complete the accident by covering 
the bell all over with paint. Of course the sound was fatally 
smothered. There was supposed to be no remedy but to trans- 
port it to the foundry in exchange for a new one. Advantage was 
taken to procure a heavier bell. The bill of Mr. Holbrook, of 
East Med way, shows the following facts : — 

Bell of 1,041 lbs. at 30 cts. and yoke at $6.00 $318 30 

Cr. by old bell of 890 lbs. at 20 cts 178 00 



$140 30 
Dated 28th Jan., 1831. 

A subscription of $152.13 overcoverod this balance. 

That new bell still swings in the steeple of the present Congre- 
gational church. The old bell, after a slight sweltering, to remove 
its useless jacket of paint, came forth as good as new, and now 



ADDENDA. 95 

tells its old tales of gladness and s3-mpath3' to the people of 
Paxton. 

Tlie tastes of tlie people having outgi'own the old sqnare pews^ 
and desires having arisen for a good front look at the new pastor, 
Southworth, a movement was hegnn in 1840 to transform the inte- 
rior into modern slips, all facing the pulpit. But as one change 
frequently involves another, it was decided to move the building 
itself to a site ' ' about eighty feet " further north (where it now 
stands) and to change its front to the south, so that none could 
easily tell whether they had been revolved or no. The work was 
begun the day following the funeral of the pastor who first occu- 
pied the house after its dedication in 1788. On the Sabbath fol- 
lowing, 4th October, 1840, the congregation occupied the hall of 
the academy, and continued to do so until the completion of the 
alterations in their sanctuary' in Januar}', 1842. 

The total expenses of this transformation, as near as can be 
ascertained, was $2, 683. 05, towards which the church fund con- 
tributed $231.30, and individual subscriptions furnished the bal- 
ance, $1,722 being given by the central school district. In 1856 
the interior walls were frescoed. 

Upon the completion of the present meeting-house of the 
Congregational Society, their fonner house was sold to the Catholic 
church. The last sermon in it was preached by Eev. L. Keene, 
the pastor, 31st December, 1871, from ii Cor., 4 : 18 and 5:1. In 
that sermon it was stated, among many other interesting remi- 
niscences, that $13,362.03 had been expended on the house, and 
that in its eightj^-four j-ears of occupancy there had been 8,736 
Sabbath seraions, 584 admissions to the church, and about 900 
infant baptisms under the officiating of thirteen ministers — besides 
the uncounted other services, joyous and sad, scenes of anxious 
prayer and of rejoicing in re^'ivals wide and deep, which conse- 
crate the house of worship and enshrine it amongst our holiest 
and tenderest recollections. 

THE NEW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

The rapid increase of the town in population and resources dur- 
ing and after the war rendered the old house, even with its modi- 
fications, behind the apparent demands of the times. The project 
of a new house was so seriously agitated and so strongly advo- 



96 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

€ated b}' the new pastor, Rev. L. Keene, that successful measures 
were adopted to carry this purpose into effect. A site was pur- 
chased bordering the southeast corner of the Common, and work 
■was begun and pushed to an early completion. The building 
committee were Messrs. Davis Thaj'er. Jr., Ilemy M. Greene, 
Albert E. Daniels, O. A. Stanley, Dr. George King, E. II. Sher- 
man, and Frank W. Hay — John Stephens architect, and Hanson 
& Hunniwell of Somerville builders. 

The dimensions of the main building are 100 by 60 feet, audi- 
ence-room 60 by 80 feet and 29 feet high, chapel attached to the 
rear, 45 by 55 feet, two wings 25 by 14 feet, height of steeple 
164 feet ; whole cost of the house furnished, $36,000. It has 650 
sittings in the main audience-room, and 100 in the gallery. The 
chapel will seat 500, and the dining-hall 400. The edifice was dedi- 
cated 4th January. 1872, Kev. Mr. Keene, the pastor, preaching 
from John, 12:5. The sermon was afterwards printed in his me- 
morial volume. 

With the increase of the business of the town came in a rapid 
increase of its population. Not only was the original sanctuary 
too small for the growing members, but a diversity of faith and of 
modes of worship naturally followed with the incomers. Hence 
oame a movement for other houses of worship. 

Brief histories of these churches have been kindly furnished by 
their several present pastors, which are here inserted as given to 
me, in the order of their dates. 

SOUTH FRANKLIN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

The scattered families of this section have always found it 
laborious to attend meeting from two to four miles at the Center. 
But their fewness forbade a hopeful undertaking of separate wor- 
ship. But the funeral of a 3'oung woman in 1855 called in the at- 
tendance of Rev. Joseph N. Thayer, of Mendon, of whose congre- 
gation she was. The interest on that occasion prompted him to 
appoint a meeting soon after in the school-house. The presence 
of many seldom seen in any house of worship suggested a contin- 
uance of appointments through the summer on alternate weeks. 
A Sundaj'-school was formed, and a library procured from friends. 
The interest so increased as to suggest the formation of a church. 

A council was called 30th August, 1855, at the house of Wil- 




Congregational Church, Main Street. 



ADDENDA. 97 

lard C. Whiting. The churches in Medway, North Wreutham, 
and Blackstone were represented. Kev. .lohn D wight of North 
Wrenthani was chosen moderator, and Rev. Mr. Tappan of 
Blackstone scribe, and the council adjourned for two weeks for 
fuj.*ther deliberation. September l."3, the additional churches in 
Mendon, West Medway, and Franklin, not previously present, 
appeared, and a church was organized of eighteen members. Oc- 
tober 5, Artemas Barden and Willard C. Whiting were elected 
deacons. In March following, subscriptions were started towards 
building a meeting-house, and $1,500 were secured. Two lots of 
land were given, one by Dea. W. C, Whiting, another by B. Fos- 
ter. The latter site was selected b}- a majority of one vote, and 
the first stake driven June 7. September 5, the corner-stone was 
laid by services from ReAS. S. Hunt and J. ]Merrill, and an original 
hymn by Mrs. Luther Dean. The first blow on the house was 
struck hy carpenter Charles T. Shaw, and the house was dedicated 
25th July, 1857, Rev. Mr. Hunt preaching the sermon. Deacon 
Barden died 27tli November, 1856 ; James P. Pond was elected 
1st July, 1858. On his removal to Medway, Paul B. Clark was 
chosen in his place, 1st January, 18G9. 

This church is still compelled to receive aid from the Home 
3Iissionary Society and has had no settled pastor, but has been 
supplied bj' acting pastors, as follows : Joseph N. Thayer, Wil- 
liam M. Thaj-er, J. K. Dewing, Sumner Clark, Dr. Ebenezer Bur- 
gess, R. Carver, J. N. Walker, J. Merrill. 

(iRACE CHURCH (iXIVERSALISx) PARISH. 

In September, 185G, a petition was presented to S. B. Scott, a 
justice in Franklin, to call a meeting in the Town Hall, for the 
purpose of organizing a Universalist parish. The petition was 
signed b}' Alfred Knapp, Goldsbur}'^ Pond, Jr., M. D. Lincoln, 
F. B. Ray. Benjamin Frost, Arnold J. Newell, James P. Ray, and 
Alfred Clark. A formal organization was effected under this call 
on October 4th. The parish was organized npon the following 

PROFESSION OF FAITH. 

1. We believe there is one God whose nature is love, and the 
Bible, harmonizing with nature and reason, contains a revelation 

7 



98 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 



of His character, inanilcstcd in our Lord Jesus Christ, who will 
finally restore all mankind to Holiness and Hap[)iness. 

2. We believe that virtue and happiness', vice and misery, are 
inseparably connected as cause and efiect, and that consequently 
in order to be happy men must do justly, love mercy, and walk 
humbl}^ with God. 

To this i)rotession a long list of names were appended, embrac- 
ing some of the leading citizens of the town. Under the inspira- 




ORACE CHURCH, MAIN STREET. 

tion of a generous otter from the late Oliver Dean, M. D. — from the 
first an earnest co-worker with the parish of which he was a mem- 
l)ei' until his death — it was determined to build a church in 1857. 
Previous to this time the congregation had worshipped in the 
Town Hall. This church was erected on the ground immediately 
in front of the magnificent edifice now owned by the parish on 
Main street. It was consecrated .'ith INIay, 1858. The cost, in- 
dependent of the land, was something over $7,000. This house 



ADDENDA. 99 

was occupied Im" the parish imtll June, 1.S7-4, when it was sold to 
the Baptists, who removed it to School street, and now occupy it. 
In 1873 the parish began the erection of its present edifice, called 
" Grace Churcli," certainly one of the most beautiful and perfectly 
appointed houses of worship to be found in any town in New Eng- 
land. Its cost was aliout $28,000. A view is given on the pre- 
ceding page. 

There was no settled pastor until 1858. Then the Rev. A. X. 
Adams was called. He was installed on the da}' the first church 
was consecrated. His resignation took effect in 1860. Early in 
1861, the Rev. N. R. Wright became pastor, and resigned 1862. 
He was succeeded by the Rev. S. W. Squire, whose pastorate ex- 
tended from the fall of 1862 to the fall of 1866. Mr. Squire was 
followed in a few months bj' Rev. H. D. L. Webster, when, in the 
fall of 1867, the Rev. Richard Eddy became pastor, resigning in 
1861). The parish, after being without a pastor for nearh' three 
3'ears, succeeded in obtaining the sei"\'ices of the present incum- 
bent, Rev. A. St. John Ciiamisre, Doctor of Divinity in 1878, who 
was installed 1st July, 1872. Under his administration the par- 
ish has grown strong, and ranks second to none in the town. 

A "church," that is, a body of communicants, was organized 
immediatel}^ upon the accession of the Rev. Mr. Adams to the 
pastorate, in 1858. This church is now vigorous, having a large 
number of communicants, to whom the sacraments are dul}' ad- 
ministered. There is also a Sunday-school, and all other auxiliary 
associations which assist in making a living parish, and in advanc- 
ing the cause and glory of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. 

Between this parish and all other parishes in this village there 
are the most friendl}^ Christian harmonies and interchange of fra- 
ternal courtesies. 

THE first IJAPTIST CHURCH 

in Franklin was organized in 1868, with thirteen members, and 
was recognized the same year b}' a council from churches within 
the bounds of the Boston North and South Baptist Association. 
Rev. J. W. HoLMAN, M. D., was the first pastor. The church 
at this time held their religious services in the Town Hall. Dr. 
Holman was a man of kindl}' social bearing, an acceptable and 
interesting preacher, and soon gathered a good congregation of 



100 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 



liearers. His pastorate was brief. Rev. Daniel Rounds succeeded 
him. During his i)astorate, a neat chapel was built on East street. 
Here the little church for a season gave every evidence of pros- 
perity in enlarged membership, in both the congregation and Sun- 
da3'-school. But unfortunate differences and consequent aliena- 
tion culminated in the resignation of ]Mr. Rounds, who had labored 
hard and faithfuUv for the establishment and growth of the church. 




BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Rev. George W. Ryan was called to the pastorate of the church 
in May, 1873. The year following, the church edifice in which they 
now worship was purchased of the First I'niversalist Society in 
FrankUn. The building was moved to School street and altera- 
tions and improvements made. 



CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

Previous to the 3'earl848, there w^re no Roman Catholics in the 
town of Franklin. In the year following, however, two families 
took up their residence liere, and shorth' after a number of em- 
ployees of the Norfolk Railroad Company became permanent res- 
idents in the town. 

The first Mass celebrated in the town was by Rev. C. O'Rii^y, 



ADDENDA. 



101 



in a house on Lincoln street, now the residence of J ^- l^'^l'^^' 
rick, and was attended by only five worshipers. In 1851 the 
Catholics became more numerous and were gratmtonsly allowed 
the use of the Town Hall for Divine services, winch wer^ con- 
ducted monthly by Kev. M. X. Cahko^l of Foxboro, nntd 18G2. 
when he was succeeded by Rev. M. M'Cabk of Woonsocket, K. 1., 




CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

who also ^ave monthlv attendance for about a year. From that 
time until 1S72, Rev. P. Gillic of Attleboro gave occasional at- 

tendance. . i i i 

In 1871 the buildino- known as the Old Congregational church 
was purchased by a few zealous CathoUcs of the town and deeded 



102 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

b}' Davis Thayer, Jr., to J. L. Fitzpatrick, and by the latter trans- 
ferred to Right Rev. J. J. AVilliams, now Archbishop of Boston. 

From 1872 until the fall of 1S7G the Rev. Fkancis Gouessk of 
Walpole had charge of the parish, but the Catholics becoming so 
numerous, and all church indebtedness being removed, it was 
deemed expedient to apply for a resident pastor, who was supplied 
in the person of Rev. J. Griffix, who came in February, 1877. 

Under Father Griffin's care many improvements are being made. 
A parsonage is in course of erection, and at no distant da}- the 
chui'ch will have to be enlarged, as it is at present man}^ times 
filled to excess. 

METHODIST CHIRCH. 

The Methodist church in Franklin owes its existence largely to 
the self-sacrifice and perseverance of Rev. E. P. King. Though 
not the first Methodist minister who preached in the town, yet he 
was the first to organize and give permanency to the work. 

In the year 1853 a Methodist meeting was first started in the 
Town Hall by Rev. John M. Merrill. He came with the intention 
of building up a church, if possible, and his efforts were attended 
with considerable success. During the two j-ears that he remained 
he gathered quite a large congregation. But the work took no 
very deep root. Only a veiy few of the congregation were really 
Methodists, and of course were not specially interested in the 
founding of a Methodist church. Indeed, there seems to have 
been no attempt at.organization. 

In 1855 Rev. Plixy Wood took charge of the work. He re- 
mained one 3'ear, and kept the work up pretty well during his pas- 
torate, though he found some difficult}^ in harmonizing the different 
elements of his congregation. In 1856 Rev. M. P. Webster came 
into the field, and while he seems to have labored earnestly the 
difficulties of the work so multiplied that he was utterly unable to 
meet them. Under his supervision the enterprise ran rapidly down, 
so that the Conference judged it expedient, in 1857, to give up 
the work. 

But in the spring of 1871 Dr. William R. Clark, then Presid- 
ing Elder of the Boston District New England Conference, and 
Rev. William Merrill ofWestMedway again started a Methodist 
meeting in the Town Hall. In November of the same year Dr. 



ADDENDA. 



103 



Clark sent Rev. John R. C'isiiim;, a theological student in Boston 
to take charge. He organized a Sunday-school and gathered a 
good congregation during the feAV months that he remained. In 
April, 1872, the New England Conference sent Rev.E. P. King to 
the town. He aimed from the first to establish a church as soon 
as possible. On the 9th of September. 1S72. he organized a 




METHODIST CHURCH. 

church of thirteen memlieirs (three men and ten women) and pro- 
ceeded at once to solicit funds for I)uilding a house of worship, of 
which he laid the corner-stone 3d October, 1872. He pushed the 
work so rapidly forward that he held services in the chapel of the 
new building on the second Sunday of March, 1873. and offered 
the house for dedication 25th June. A noted revival began in 
March preceding and continued throuohout the vear. Over two 



104 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

hnndrecl professed conversion, of whom the church swelled its 
membershii) to sixty-six and gained a strong hold in the town. 

In April, 1874, after two years of successful work, Mr. King 
was taken to another field, and Rev. J. N. Short became pastor 
of the clmrch, which position he held for three years. During 
that time the church steadily increased in membership and influ- 
ence, though considerably crippled by the financial embarrass- 
ments of the country. In April, 1877, Rev. George W. Hudson 
became pastor of the church. He reports a membership of 87, 
a Sundaj'-school of 12 officers and teachers, and 120 scholars, and 
church property of $10,000. 

A few persons in town wlio are of the " New Jerusalem Church " 
— Swedenborgian — have held meetings for religious worship con- 
stantly during the last seventeen years at the house of J. A. 
Woodward. They are. most of them, members of the Boston 
Society, and are not yet organized liere into a distinct church. 

XII. BIIKISTERIAL FUND. 

It was the policy of tlie ftithers at the first settlement of the 
country to provide for the permanency of the ministry. Thej' set 
apart land for its support and added special donations from time 
to time — sometimes by municipal vote, sometimes bv private leg- 
acy. The historj' of the ministerial fund of Franklin is not fully 
traceable, but the few scattered facts following have interest, as 
showing the estimate in which tlie moral culture of this communit}' 
was held by the fatliers. 

hi March, 1784. it was voted that ''the old Continental money 
and the new P^mission money in the town treasury be appropriated 
for to raise a fund for tlie su[)port of a minister in this town for- 
ever." 

JMay 10 it was voted " to begin to lay a foundation for raising 
a fund of money the interest whereof to be appropriated for the 
support of a Protestant Congregational minister in this town for- 
ever." They also cliose a cf)mmittee of live to receive donations 
ill l)ehalf of tlie town. 

The moneys hinted at in tlie town treasury seem to have come 
from several sources. In the partition of A\'^rentham the old 
town funds were agreed to be divided between the two parishes 
according to the latest tax-list. These funds had arisen partly 



ADDENDA. 105 

fi-om the sale of lands given to the corporation l)y the proprietoi-s, 
partly, iiiayT)e, from the interest of certain notes held from the 
Province from the earlier times, and, possibly, in part from the 
balance of pay to the Representatives of the General Court ; for, 
with wise economy, the precinct had fixed the per diem pay of its 
representative from time to time, and had ordered him to pa}^ 
into tlie precinct treasury whatever he received from the Colon}'. 
His pay was at first 6s. per day. afterwards 4s. 6d. What he 
received from the General Court is not stated. 

But the fund so increased hy thrifty husbandry that the treas- 
lu'erwas soon able to present quite an exhibit. The earliest state- 
ment found is dated '2d March, 1792, and is as follows : — 

Bills of new Emission money, $1,091, which is £327 6s. 

Note for ^400 in new p]mission bills 120 

One state note consolidated 10 15s. 4d. 

7 years' interest due 1 April next on sd note 4 10s. 5d. 

1 Loan office note, 6 pr ct. stock, $227.38 t58 3s. 8d. 

(l3 months' interest on sd note pd.) 

1 Loan office note for ^113.64, interest deferred 34 2s. 

1 state note for £.54 2s. Od., dated 1 Jan., 1701, third part pd 
in cash, together with the interest, 1 Jan. 1792 ; re- 
mains due on sd note, the sum of 3(> Is. 8d. 

Cash on hand, in the treasury 24 lis. 6d. 

The total is not given in the report and for good reason ; for 
these State notes and Emission bills gave the town no small 
trouble, and their fiuctuating value prevented any reliable estimate 
of the amount of the ministerial fund. In 17i)6 the town pre- 
sented a petition to the General Court that it '-pa}' the bills of 
New Emission & the Treasurer's note as promised by Act of 24 
April, 1780, & to be redeemed in silver by 31 Nov. 1786." But 
they had leave to withdraw, not the money, but themselves, and 
nothing more is recorded of the matter iintil 1800. June 25 of 
this year the treasurer reports the full account of the fund to date 
to be $760. r)8, besides some interest, also the Emission bills for 
|>I, 091, note in new Emission $400 — discount and deficit of 
^$89.92. 

A vigorous instruction was given to the Representative, which 
was ordered to be printed in ''Young & Mime's State paper," 
whatever that was. A report on this new Emission matter was 
also presented, which says : — 



106 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

TheGeneral Court in May, 1781, levied a tax of £374,795 8s. 2d. 
on the towns. Franklin got an abatement of £205 6s. 5d., equal 
to $684,40. Hard mone}' was so needed that the State ordered 
Bills to be emitted at 1^ paper for one of silver, which bill was 
passed a month after the Bills, stopping passing, and therefore 
were only security for payment. But Government made no pro- 
vision for payment until 17U4, and then at one-quarter the nomi- 
nal value, while other securities were funded at full value.* The 
town received al)out 1284 paper dollars for 684 of silver, and if 
their bills were funded according to the funding law of 1794, it 
would have a note of $321 and interest, and lose $363 and inter- 
est for 18 years. 

In May, 1803, the town sold the Emission bills, State note, etc., 
to John Whiting for an unmentioned amount, when the fund was 
reported to be $1,826.63. In May, 1804, it was $1,427.15^. In 
March, 1806, it was voted to sell all the 6 per cent, stock in the 
Loan otHce, Boston. 

Upon the'separation of parochial business from the town affairs in 
1804, the ministerial fund disappears from the records and hides 
itself almost entirely from sight. Our next glimpse of it is in a 
deed of ' ^ twenty-six acres of land b}' measurement " lying in Leices- 
ter, Addison county, Vt., dated 15th June, 1813, and valued at 
$916. The deed is from John Whiting of Franklin to the First 
Congregational Society of Franklin, and is quitclaimed to the 
parish 11th April, 1814, by Joseph Capron of Leicester, Yt. 
This land proved somewhat of an elephant to the parish. A fre- 
quent correspondence was carried on between Harvy Deming of 
Salisbury and H. C. Fisher of the parish committee. The former 
seems to have been agent for the sale of the land, and tinalh' takes 
it himself, but the net proceeds to the parish are not distinctly 
given — they seem to have been about $450. 

The records of the church throw some additional light upon this 
fund, for the church had been a contributor to the same end.f 
In 1790, November 25, the church committee is authorized to re- 

*The town records refer to Rev. Dr. Hemminway"s election sermon of 1784, 
for its facts and arguments. 

t As early as 1761 the first church in Wrentham had given to the second 
church several acres of the old Dedham lands, viz.: twenty-six acres on Blake's 
plain; thirty-three acres south of Tare Briel Hill; forty acres east of Millbrook; 
and eighteen and one-half acres east of Diamond Hill. These lands were some 
of them exchanged for other lots and finally sold. 



ADDENDA. 107 

loan its money to the United States Loan ofHce and deliver the 
securities to the church treasurer. In 1808, September 21, the 
church votes to sell these securities to private parties. In 1832 a 
committee of the church report the fund to consist of nine notes, 
amounting to $617, on interest, and cash on hand 8204.40. Total, 
$820.81. Out of this fund small sums were from time to time 
appropriated to cases of special need ; for example, $100 was 
voted, 19th May, 1831, to Rev. Mr. Smalley "to make up the sum 
proposed to be raised by his friends for his benefit." This was to 
aid him in building his house. The whole fund was finally dis- 
posed of by a vote of the church 7th September, 1840, "' to fur- 
nish the First Congi-egational parish with the funds of the church, 
amounting to $700 and upwards, to be expended in repairing their 
meeting-house — to be rented for their current expenses, provided 
the parish pay the interest to Dr. Emmons during his life, and a 
joint voice in the settlement and dismission of ministers and the 
use of the meeting-house as heretofore." So ended all ministerial 
funds in Frankhn, in securing the use of the meeting-house and a 
joint voice in ministerial questions. 

One idea of the moral history' of Frankhn will be best rounded 
out by sundry votes and resolves of the church, and the town 
passed at divers times upon the 

XIII. PUBLIC MORAJ.S. 

As the main intent of the original settlement was the gathering 
of a Christian community, the settlers sedulously watched all so- 
cial tendencies, and felt it not foreign to their duty to express 
themselves positively upon the practices of society. So long as 
church membership was essential to citizenship they could have 
control, and church discipline could be vigorousl}" administere'd. 
Absentees from public worship were called up for self-justification, 
and all wanderers had to rise and explain. Even the young Puri- 
tans were sharply looked after. In 1744, September 12, the 
precinct chose a man ' • to take care of ye children to prevent their 
playing in meeting " — an office which lasted within our recollec- 
tion, and was not a sinecure on summer da^'s. 

But the Revolutionary War greatly aggravated the growing lax- 
ity of manners, insomuch that a " Society for the Reformation of 
Morals" was formed in November, 1790, which had its annual 



108 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

sennon. Several of these were printed for general circulation,* 
And not without result. 

The town took note of the general tendency of things, as the 
following votes witness : — 

Maj^, 1791, on complaint that divers persons have from time to 
time behaved in a very unbecoming manner l)y standing in the 
porches of the meeting-house of this town on the Lord's day and 
•otherways conducting in a manner not only inconsistent with the 
purpose for which they {irofessedly assemble, but liighlv unbecom- 
ing a person of good breeding or the character of a gentleman ; 
voted that such conduct ought to be highly reprobated and dis- 
■countenanced b}' every sober man, and that they will hold them 
■SLS scandalous and infamous persons, and the tithing-men are to 
take their names and publicl}- expose them next town meeting, 
and post up this vote and the names of all future offenders.! 

The i)ublic exposure did not wholly eradicate the evil, for in 
1794, April 7, it was voted that " all heads of families be re- 
quested to use their influence and autliority to all under their care 
to pass the porches on the Sabbath with decency and propriety, 
without standing in said porches and thereby prevent persons 
from taking their seats in the meeting-house." 

One provocative to that evil practice doubtless was the fact that 
no shade or shelter, save the horse-sheds, existed around the old 
meeting-house to cover the early comers to church, and the social 
instinct drew strongly upon those who seldom saw any one during 
the week to secure the current gossip of the town. The prelimi- 
nary waiting, therefore, for " the little man in black" to drive up 
to the front door was spent in retailing the news of the week, and 
'•• the porches" were the most com fortal)le rendezvous. But this 
is a solution and not an apology. 

This outer disrespect was not excluded always, CAcn wlien the 
congregation had assembled into its famil}' boxes. The minister 
did not always control their attention. Indeed, he felt that they 
needed a sharper admonition than a paper resolve, and he resorted 
to a rousing experiment. On the Sunday' of July 18, 1790, while 

*See Emmon'vS Works (last ed.) vol. v, p. 2.3 aud on. 

tThe town had erected two posts in front of the meeting-liouse as a perma- 
nent place for all such notices, warrants for town meetings, etc. — exchanged 
afterwards for two Lombardy poplars, vxnto one of which Dr. Emmons always 
liitclied his horse on Sundays. 



ADDENDA. 109 

the audience were especially- inattentive and sleepy, Dr. Emmons 
closed Ms manuscript, took down his three-cornered hat, and with- 
out further premonitions descended the pulpit, passed down the 
broad aisle and out of the house to his home. August 3, at a 
church meeting, he explained his conduct ; whereupon the church 
voted : '' 1. It is reasonable the pastor should insist upon having 
the proper attention of the people in time of public worship. 2. 
It is reasonable the church should desire and endeavor that proper 
attention be given in the time of public worship and discouuti.'- 
nance all inattention." Some ^^ears later, 29th December, 1)S16, 
he complained directly in a letter to the church of what he calls 
" a designed inattention," upon Avhich that body repeats its vote 
of 1790. The year following, 5th May, 1817, the town adopted th& 
following petition to the State Legislature : — 

The petition of the town of Franklin sheweth that we your peti- 
tioners, seriously impressed with a sense of the indispensible obli- 
gation of the people in this state to remember and sanctify the- 
christian Sabbath, are fully convinced that some effectual meauf^ 
ought to be adopted and pursued to restrain them from the external 
and gross profanation of that holy da}'. We concur in the opin- 
ions of the respectable Association of ministers in the county of 
Hampshire, that the present laws respecting the Sabbath need to 
be revised and amended. We, therefore, unite with our fellow 
citizens who view the subject in this hght, in respectfully and; 
earnestly requesting the Honorable Legislature to pass such acts 
as they shall deem necessar}' to promote the due observance of the 
Lord's Day throughout the Commonwealth. 

On the gravest e\il of society, the prevalence of intemperance ,^ 
the church took earl}' and decided action. Dr. Emmons was al- 
wa^'s strictl}' abstemious and among the first advocates of totaE 
abstinence. "WTiile the bottle of new rum was regarded as a. 
necessary utensil of the hay-field, excessive drinking was confinedi 
to a few notorious persons. Even these were gloriously drunk 
only on occasions like the annual muster, election daj% and the 
town meeting. The earliest temperance lecture we recollect was- 
by a Mr. Frost, who filled the old meeting-house with an enthusias- 
tic audience and rallied a long file of names to the pledge. But 
there were earlier movements. Hon. M. M. Fisher saj's in cue of 
his "Reminiscences," "the Temperance pledge was signed as 
early as 1825, after a lecture given in the Popolatic school-house 



110 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

hy a son of Dr. Beecher, who was visiting with his sister Catliarine 
at Mr. Caleb Fisher's. Mr. Fisher and Mr. Elisha BuUarcl with 
otliers signed it, and afterwards dechned to furnish liquor in hay 
time." 

The selectmen in those days " posted " the names of inveterate 
drunkards to whom all dealers were forbidden to sell. The list was 
sometimes fearfull}- long. But the zeal of Drs. Miller and Hunting 
and others secured rapidl}' a wide change of opinion and practice, 
so that Franklin became early, and continues to be, a thorough 
temperance town. 

XIV. TOWN INDUSTRIES. 

The means and energies of the first settlers of this territory were 
devoted to the clearing of their wilderness farms. They had 
■neither time nor need in their simple living to turn themselves to 
manufactures. Corn-mills and saw-mills were their onl}' necessity. 
These they had to build as soon as possible. The meeting-house 
first, and then the corn-mill. Body and soul could then be fed for 
other work. 

The first move in Wrentham was to grant twelve acres of land 
at the ponds for a corn w^ater-mill, which was offered to Robert 
Grossman, and finally, in 1685, assumed by John Whiting, who 
iDuilt a mill on the site of the present Eagle factory. This mill 
tt'emained in the line of his descendants for over a century. 

But as the population spread into the present Franklin and be- 
gan to crystallize about a new center, they sought for mill con- 
veniences nearer their homes. We have not the data for giving the 
■order of progress, but the earliest move towards a mill which we 
have discovered was in 1713 on Mine brook. 

In the ''great divident" of 28th March, 1698, " Lott 50 in 
Michael Willson Sen.'s part, five acres are granted to Daniel 
Haws jun. on the mine brook below Thomas Thurston & above 
the falls near Elcazer Metcalf : bounded by land laid out to the 
Wid. Pond in part northward, and common on all other parts : the 
Brook running through it." Young Daniel Hawes and his neigh- 
bor Metcalf associate with others to utiHze these falls in Mine 
brook for mill purposes, and they sign the following contract: — 



ADDENDA. Ill 

Wrentham, Febriuiiy the 7, 1713. 

We hose names are hereunto subscril;)ed doe agree to build a 
sawmill at the place called the Mineln-ook : Daniel Haws none 
quarter, John Maccane none quarter, Eleazer Metcalf & Samuel 
IMetcalf none quarter, Robert Pond Sen. non quarter. 

We doe covenant & agree as foUowes : — 

1 . A\^e doe promis that we wil each of us carrj^ on & do our equal 
proporchon throught in procuring of irones & hueing framing of a 
dam & mill & all other labor throught so faire as the major part 
shall se meat to doe till tlie mill be finished througlit and made fit 
for to goe then to com to a reckoning. 

2. We do a gre that all of us shall have liberty for to work out 
his proporsion of work & in case aney none of us neglect to carry 
■on his part of said mill the rest of the owners to carry on said 
work till it be done & fit to saw & he that neglects to carry on his 
part of said mill shall par half a crown a day to the rest of the 
owners that did said work. 

3. AYe du agre that said land shall I3- for a mill pond soe long as 
the major part shall se fit. We du all so agre that no non shall 
sell his part of said mill till he has first mad a tender to the rest 
of the owners. We du al so agre that no non shal sel his part in 
the land til he lies tenderd it to the rest of the owners. 

Signed sealed & delivered Robart Pond 

in the presence of Daniel Haws 

Ezra Pond John Maccane 

Jonathan AVright Eleaser Metcalf 

^ i^is Samuel Metcalf 

Robert -j- Pond 

mark. 

On the back is the still further agreement : — 

to lay out each man's loot as they are drawn — the first loot is 
to be gin four foot from the upper sil of the streak sil and soe up 
unto the ind of the sleapers, and to devid it equal in to fower loots 
& from the sleapers towards the road so as not to interrupt the 
road. 

RoBART Pond Daniel Haws 

John Maccane Eleazer Metcalf 

Samuel Metcalf Daniel Thurston 

March the 7. 
1717 

The saw-mill so built stood where Joseph Whiting afterwards 
had a mill, and where one of the numerous felting mills of the 
Ra}^ brothers now stands. 

In the laying out of a surveyor's district 29th May, 1736, there 
are other mills in town mentioned — " the Iron works " (which we 



112 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

locate on Mine brook near the foot of Forge Hill), "Benjamin 
Morse's saw-mill," and "Adams' corn-mill" (which last was at 
City Mills) . But these Avere hardly manufactories. Only the arts 
necessary to farming got any footing in the town until the begin- 
ning of the present century, when a new industry was introduced 
whioli has had an important influence upon the character and 
prosperity of the town. 

The braiding and making of straw into bonnets came from 
Pro\-idence, R. 1. Capt. John Whipple had a store in that city, 
in which his wife, Naomi, had also a small millinery shop. Her 
bonnets came through New York from Europe. Mrs. AVhipple 
and her assistant, Hannah Metcalf, unraveled a scrap of the braid 
one day and learned the secret of its fabric. Procuring some straw 
they successfully imitated the braid, and soon after made and sent 
a box of her own bonnets to her New York importer. The trade 
grew rapidly, so profitable was it, and other Providence ladies 
learned the process. In the sunnner of 1799 several Providence 
girls came to a boarding-school in Massachusetts, wearing their 
home-made bonnets, which created no little excitement. One of 
them, Sally Richmond, came to Wrentham acadeni}'. She knew 
the art and taught it to the ladies where she boarded. Thus was 
straw-braiding introduced to this State through "Wrentham, and 
naturall}' spread next into this town. 

The first bonnets were made of oat straw flattened, and con- 
tained from sixteen to eighteen 3'ards of wide Dunstable. So 
mightily did the novelty take that no girl was considered of the 
ton without one. The fashion gave a vigorous impulse to the trade 
and the sale of straw bonnets spread through the land. 

The Wrentham ladies in 1804 bought an organ for their church 
by contribution of straw bonnets, which were sold b}' their agent 
in Maine and with no small profit to himself.* 

One result of the sudden uprise of this new industry was a 
great addition to the business of small trading stores. They sold 
their goods in exchange for straw-braid. The stock so accumu- 
lated they soon began to convert into bonnets, and this led to 
special manufactories for straw goods. Fisher & Day, of Wrent- 

* This organ was moved from its " proper and conspicuous iilace " in 1823, 
into one of the back pews, and Dr. James Maun wrote a eulogy upou the whole 
" atchievement," which was printed in the Norfolk Repository, 1804. 



ADDENDA. 113 

ham, first entered into this business in 1804. In 1810 Asa and 
Davis Thayer opened a store in Franklin at the City Mills, seUing 
their straw braid received for goods to Fisher, Day & Co. About 
1812 they bought the Adams store near the Center, and re-estab- 
lished themselves much more largely, manufacturing their own 
bonnets in shapes and styles of their own. This was the second 
straw-goods firm in the county. They at first made from 6,000 to 
8,000 bonnets per annum. In 1816 the Wrentham firm failed, 
by the selling out of one of the partners, it is said, and A. >& D. 
Thayer were left sole occupants of the new industry. Asa Thayer 
died in 1816, and Davis conducted the business alone until 1>!20, 
when Hermon C. Fisher became a partner. He finalh' started a 
separate concern, and others also entered into the business. But 
the Tha^'er house still continues in the same name and with greatly 
enlarged facilities and success, Franklin is now one of the chief 
towns where this industry flourishes. In 1869 it had no less than 
seven manufactories of straw goods, producing 1,500,000 hats 
and bonnets at a value of more than $1,000,000. This amount 
has been greatty increased b}- the use of improved machiner3\ al- 
though fewer persons are emplo^-ed at their homes and fewer firms 
conduct the business. 

A view is given opposite of Major Thayer's house and place of 
business. His store was on the left and the entrance where the 
settee is standing. The piazza is a modern addition. The first 
central post-offlce was in this store. 

Another industry in the town of gi'owing importance is the man- 
ufacture of felt goods. The first shoddy-picker, and probably the 
first in the country, was started in 1849 at Unionville by Messrs. 
J. G. & J. P. Ray. 

Col. Joseph Ray came with his family to Franklin in 1839 and 
engaged at first in making cotton goods. His three sons soon 
took up different lines of woolen goods, enlarging their mills and 
increasing their number at different localities, until their various 
factories of cotton, cassimere, felts, &e., produce about a million 
yards per year of satinets alone. The total of their products we 
do not know. Other firms have also lately entered upon similar 
industries within the town, but of these we have not any data, his- 
toric or otherwise. These have brought their accompaniments of 



114 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

machine shops, planiug-mills, and artisans, making the region of 
the depots lively centers of activity. 

The engraving opposite gives a view of the office of Messrs. Ray 
in the second story left, the National Bank in the right, and the 
present post-office and stores on the first floor. The building stands 
on the corner of IMain and Depot streets, and is of pressed brick. 
The shoe business has never put more than a single foot in the 
town. In 1850, N. C. Newell lionght, moved and converted the 
old Emmon's barn into a boot shop. J. M. Freeman followed him 
soon after in the same shop, but his increasing business has led 
him twice to rebuild larger accommodations. Other manufactories 
of less extent have been started at different dates, which cannot 
here have special mention. Franklin is a ver}' busy town, where 
loafing finds a difficulty in resisting o]iportiinities for work. 

But as an evidence that Franklin is not wholly material in its 
tastes, it should be recorded that it lias at this date two weekly 
newspapers well conducted. ])esides a job-printing office, not to 
mention at least one boy's hand-press doing a lively little busi- 
ness. 

The Franklin Jieyi.ster was first issued in October, 1872, by 
James M. Stewart, editor and proprietor, and is still in a flourish- 
ing condition under his assiduous management. Another weekly 
sheet has lately appeared, called the Franklin /Sentinel, by R. E. 
Capron. indicating a conviction of the town's growing intellectual 
appetite for more. 

The business of the town sustains a national and a savings 
bank, both successfully managed. Stores, shops, etc.. requisite 
to a thriving town, abound. A view of one of the later blocks 
(Fletcher's) on Main street, nearly opposite the post-office, is 
given between pages 116 and 117. 

The following statistics from the State census of 1<S75 will show 
at a glance the extent of the town's industries at that date : 
Manufacturing establishments where goods are made, 21 ; value 
of produced goods, Sl.2o2,947 ; occupations where work is done. 
2G ; value of products, S37,968 ; steam engines, 12 ; water-wheels, 
9 ; horsepower, 1,175 ; capital invested in manufactures, $325,625 ; 
yearly wages. $208. 840 ; total industrial products, $1,299,915. 

The following table, compiled from the earliest to the latest 
reliable date, by S. W. Richardson, Esq., collector of United 



P3 
> 



H 
P3 







ADDENDA. 



115 



-States Internal Revenue, will exhibit the material progress of the 
town during the past century : — 



INDUSTRIAL TABLE. 



Year. 


Polls. 


Valuation. 


Houses. 


Barns. 


Hoi-ses. 


Oxen. 


Cows. 


Slieep. 


1786.. 


..2.53 


£2,401 18s. Od. 


127 


119 


132 


198 


570 


856 


1790.. 


..274 


2,803 Ms. 6d. 


143 


131 


139 


270 


788 




1800. . 


..296 


$13,294 40 


169 


157 


180 


275 


729 




1810.. 


..288 


17,318 95 


180 


178 


103 


265 


733 




1820.. 


. .323 


15,.524 75 


210 


180 


143 


274 


599 




1830.. 


..286 


343,124 00 


234 


208 


149 


274 


563 


301 


1840.. 


..372 


417,078 00 


262 


227 


183 


191 


448 


129 


1850.. 


..384 


648,456 00 


304 


240 


185 


192 


493 


12 


1860. . 


..545 


811,636 00 


379 


269 


245 


142 


508 


5 


1865.. 


..543 


1,116,660 00 


402 




269 




573 


16 


1875.. 


..717 


1,433,635 00 


464 




331 




466 


4 


-1878.. 


...890 


1,. 551,645 00 


563 




365 




522 





XV. LISTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS. 

(From the incorporation of the precinct to the px'esent time.) 

1. PRECINCT CLERKS. 

Daniel Thurston (first clerk), 1738. Michael Metcalf, 1757. 
Ezra Pond, 1739, '42. 
Simon Slocomb, 1740, '41, '43, 
'48, '52. 



John Fisher, 1744, '47. 
Jabez Fisher, 1753, '56. 



Hezekiah Fisher, 1758, '69, '73. 
Timothy Pond, 1759, '62. 
Jonathan Whiting, 1763, '68. 
Ebenezer Metcalf, 1774-'77. 



Asa Pond, 1778, '80, '82, '85. 

Hezekiah Fisher, 1781. 

Nathan Daniels, Jr., 1786, '91, 1804 

Amos Hawes, 1792, 1803. 

Asa Harding, 1805, '15. 

Lewis Harding, 1816, '23. 

3. 



TOWN CLERKS. 

Capt. David Baker, 1824-'36. 
Wilkes Gay, Jr., 1837-'39. 
Davis Thayer, Jr., 1840-'45. 
Theron C. Hills, 1846-'62. 
Alpheus A. Kussegue, 1863-75. 
George W. Wiggin, 1876-'78. 



PRECINCT TREASURERS. 

Eleazer Metcalf, 1738. Kobert Blake, 1743-'52, '58, '6S. 

Nathaniel Fairbank, 1739. Baruch Pond, 1754-'57, '61-'64. 

David Jones, 1740, '41. Daniel Thurston, 1759, '60, '65-'67, 
Thomas Bacon, 1742, '53. '69-'71. 

4. TOWN TREASURERS. 

Asa Whiting, 1778-'87, '92, '93. Lt. Phineas Ware, 1800-1804. 

Seth Lawrence, 1788-'91. Timothy Metcalf, 1S05-'16. 

Joseph Whiting, Jr., 1794-'96. Simeon Partridge, 1817-'19. 

Hauan Metcalf, 1797-99. Col, Caleb Thurston, 1820-'32. 



116 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 



Joel Daniels, 1833-'55, '42-'53. 
Wilkes Gay, Jr., l8.36-'3n. 
Georo-e W. Morse, 1840, '41. 
Theron C. Hills, 1854-60. 

5. SEI.EC 

Samuel Lethbridge, 1778. 

Dea. Jonathan MetciUf, 1778, '70. 

Asa Wliitino;, 1778, 79. 

Hezekiah Fisher, 1778. 

Ens. Joseph Ilawes, 1778, '70. 

Ebenezer Lawrence, 1770, '80, 

Joseph Whiting;, Jr., I77i). 

Capt. Asa Fairbanks, 1780. 

tsamuel Morse, Jr., 1780, '81, "83. 

William Gilmore, 1780-'82. 

James Metcalf. 1781. 

John Eichardson. 1781, '82, '87, "04 

-'08. 
Asa Pond, 178l'-'8.'j. 
Benjamin Pond, 1782. 
I'eter Adams, 1782. 
Joseph Hills, 17So-'86. 
John Boyd, 1783-'85, '03. 
Nathan Daniels, 1783. 
Ebenezer Dean, 178t)-'88. 
Nathan Daniels, Jr., 1780-88, 1802 

-'04. 
Moses Knapp, 1788, '00, 1800, '01. 
Seth Bacon, 1780-'01. 
Capt. Eli Richardson, 1780, '01, '02, 

'00, 1800, '01. 
Peter Whitino-, 1780-01, 04-'08. 
Elisha Hardini;, 1700. 
Jonathan Wales, 1702, '03. 
Isaac Heaton, Jr., 1702, '03. 
Pelatiah Fisher, 1704-'08. 
William Adams, 1700-1800, '02. 
Amos Hawes, 1802, '03. 
Capt. Stephen Kingsbury, 1803, '04. 
Timothy Rockwood, 1804, '05. 
Dea. Joseph Bacon, 1805-'08. 
Jabez Fisher, Jr., 1805. 
James Metcalf, lS0G-'08. 
Capt. Robt. Gilmore, 1800-'09. 
Lieut. Phineas Ware, 1809, '10. 
Lewis Fisher, 1809-'18, '20-'24, '28. 
William Makepeace, 1810-'13. 



Adams Daniels, 1861, '62. 
Alpheus A. Russegue, 1863-74- 
James M. Freeman, 187.">-'78. 

I'MEX. 

Daniel Sayles, 1811, '12. 
William Boyd, 1813, '14, '17. 
Nathan Woodward, 1814-16. 
James Adams, 1815, '16. 
Capt. Asa Harding, 1817-22. 
Capt. David Hartshorn, 1818, '19. 
Capt. Dyar C;iark, 1818-'23. 
Ensign Seth Dean, 1823-'28. 
Lieut. Willis Fisher, 1824-'27, '43. 
Col. Caleb Thurston, 182.")-'34. 
AVm. Makepeace, Jr., 1820-'32. 
Dr. Spencer Pratt, 1829-31. 
Capt. Alfred Knapp, 1832-'35.. 
Col. Nathan Cleveland, 1833-'37. 
Joel Daniels, Jr., 1835-'38. 
Elisha Ricliardson, 1836-'38. 
Wane Adams, 1838-'40. 
Capt. Hartford Leonard, 1839-41. 
William Metcalf, 1839, '40, '42, '43. 
Albert E. Daniels, 1841, '42. 
Rila Scott, 1841. 
Martin Green, 1842, '43, '45. 
Daniel Thurston, 1844. 
Dea. Levi F. Morse, 1844-'46. 
Capt. Erastus Rockwood, 1844-'49, 
Dea. Peter Adams, 184C)-'40, '75, 

'76. 
Col. Saul B. Scott, 1847. 
George W. Nason, 1848-54, '57, '59. 
Joel P. Adams, 18.50, '51. 
Elisha Hubbard, 1850, '51. 
Dea. Joseph T. Bacon, 1852, '53. 
Robert Gilmore, 1852, '53. 
Elias Cook, 1854-' 56. 
Stephen W. Richardson, 1854-'56, 

'75. 
Joseph Morse, 1855, '56. 
Francis B.Ray, 1857, '58, '77. 
Seth Partridge, 1857. 
Maxcy Cook, 1858, '59. 
Lowell B. Cleveland, 1850, '60« 
Otis Wales, Jr., lSG0-'63. 



ADDENDA. 



117 



James P. Kay, 1860-'<j3. 

James M. Freeman, 1861, '(i4, 'GO 

-'74. 
•Joseph G. Ray, 1864, '65. 
Horatio Kingsbviry, 1864. 
Joseph H. Wardsworth, 1865, '00, 

'08-' 72. 
Gardner Adams, 1805. 
Lewis W. Hills, 1800, '07. 



William Eockwood, 1 867-' 09. 
Aaron H. Moses, 1870-'7-'. 
John H. Fisher, 1873. 
Jason Tower, 1873. 
Henry R. Jencks, 1874-'77. 
Joseph W. Clark, 1874, '75. 
Erastus L. Metcalf, 1875. 
Edmund Hartshorn, 1875, '77- 
Alfred G. Metcalf, 1875. 



6. SCHOOL COMMITTEE.* 



Dr. Nathaniel Miller, 1802, '09, '11 

-'13, '34. 
Pelatiah Fisher, 1802. 
Capt. Amos Eawes, 1802, '03. 
Dea. Jonathan Metcalf, 1802, '08, 

'13, '15, '20-'22. 
OUver Smith, lS02-'05.' 
Thomas Mann, 1803. 
ElihuPond, 1803, '05, '08, '09, '17, 

'18. 
Asa Harding, 1803, '04, '08, '16. 
John W. Richardson, 1804, '08, '17, 

'18, '20-' 22, '28. 
Robert Gilmore, 1804, '05, '20, '21. 
Eli Richardson, Jr., 1804, '09-11. 
William Boyd, 1805, '19, '20. 
Asa Gowen, 1805, '12, '16. 
Willis Fisher, 1808, '15, '17, '20, 

'21, '35. 
James Wales, 1809. 
Dea. Joseph Bacon, 1809, '11. 
Isaac Morrill, 1810. 
Ichabod Dean, 1810, '27. 
Lewis Fisher, 1810, '11. 
Isaac Walker, 1810. 
Rev. Nathanael Emmons, 1811, '12. 
Dea, James Adams, 1812-'14, '20. 
■Caleb Fisher, 1812, '13. 
Dr. Spencer Pratt, 1813- '15, '17 

-'20, '24, '27, "30, '36. 
Col. Lewis Harding, 1814. 
Capt. Nath'l Adams, 1814. 
Simeon Partridge, 1814. 
William Makepeace, 1815. 



Erastus Emmons, 1815, 'l(i. 

Wliiting Metcalf, 1810. 

Alfred Ware, 2d, 1810, 

Luther Gowen, 1817, '18, '20. 

Philip W. Miller, 1817, 'IS. 

James Fisher, 1819. 

Elisha Harding, 1819. 

David Baker, 1819. 

Alexander C, White, 1820, -21. 

Joseph Hills, 1820, '21. 

Preston Fisher, 1821. 

Herman Bassett, 1821. 

Capt. Dyar Clark, 1821. 

Dr. Amory Hunting, 1822, '24-'26, 

'29, '.34, '38. 
Willard Fisher, 1824-'26, '28, '34, 

'40-' 44, '48, '49. 
Fisher Daniels, 1824. '25, '28, '29. 
George C. Wilde, 1826. 
William Makepeace, Jr., 1820, '30. 
Lieut. Hiram Knapp, 1827. 
Ira Blake. 1828, '30, '32, '34. 
Elias Metcalf, 1828, '29, '31, '33. 
Alpheus Adams, 1829. 
Rev. Elam Smalley, 1831, '34, '38. 
Abijah W. Metcalf, 1831. 
Abel Pond, 1831. 
Paul B. Clark, 1831, '33, '42-' 44, ' 48 

-'50. 
Capt. A. E. Daniels, 1832, '35. 
Ward Adams, 1832, '35. 
Joel Daniels, Jr., 1833. 
Dea. Levi F. Morse, 1833, '34. 
Capt. Philo Fisher, 1833. 



* Prior to 1803 the schools were in charge of the selectmen and clergymen of the 
own. 



118 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 



Jarvis H. Hills, 1833. 
Smith Fisher, 1835, '39, '40. 
Hermon Fisher, 183.5. 
Asa G. NorcrosB, 1835. 
Wilkes Gay, .Ir., 1835. 
Mortimer Blake, 183G- .38. 
Stephen W. Richardson, 1836, '51, 

'52. 
Erastus Rockwood, 18.36. 
Elisha Hubbard, 18-36. 
John H. Fisher, 1837. 
Ebenezer A. Warlield, 1837. 
Horatio Kingsbury, 1837. 
Rev. Tertius D. Southworth, 1839 

-'49, '52. 
Dr. Shadrach Atwood, 1839. 
William Phipps, Jr., 1839. 
James O. Brown, 1839, '40. 
George W. Morse, 1840, '41. 
Rev. Asa Hixon, 1845, '46, '55, '56. 
Hartford P. Leonard, 1845, '46. 
William E. Peck, 1847. 
Dr. Jona. Mann, 1847. 



J. Geo. Hubbard, 1850. 

Waldo Daniels, 1850, '54-'.56, '58 

-'60, '66-' 69, '77. 
Rev. Samuel Hunt, 1851, '53, '57, 

'63. 
James C. Whiting, 1851, "52. 
Dr. L. L. Scammell, 1853. 
Rev. John M. Merrill, 18.54. 
Thomas M. Bacon, 1855. 
Rev. Joseph Thayer, 18.56. 
Dr. Wm. B. Nolen, 1857, '58, '74 

-'76. 
Wm. P. Shepard, 1857. 
Sewall Fisher, 1858, '59, "65. 
Geo. A. Woodward, 18.59-' 61. 
Marcellus A. Woodward, 1860-'62.. 
Dr. Geo. King, 1861-63, '67-73. 
Adin D. Sargeant, 1862-64, '70. 
Rev. J. K. Deering, 1863. 
Rev. S. W. Squire, 1864-77. 
Joseph Woodward, 1865. 
Geo. W. Wiggin, 1873-'75. 
William F. Ray, 1876, '77. 



REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT. 



Ensign Joseph Hawes, 1778, '81. 
Dr. Joseph Metcalf, 1779, '80. 
Peter Adams, 1782, '83. 
Samuel Lethbridge, 1784, '85. 
Hon. Jabez Fisher, 1786, '98, '99. 
Capt. Thomas Bacon, 1787, '88. 
Lt. Hezekiah Fisher, 1789-'97. 
Col. John Boyd, lS00-'04. 
Pelatiah Fisher, 1805, '06. 
Capt. Joseph Bacon, 1807 -'14. 
Lieut. Phineas Ware, 1811-'17. 
Lewis Fisher, 1815, '16, '18- '21, 

'23, '26. 
Dr. Nath'l Miller, 1827, '33. 
Col. Caleb Thurston, 1829, '30. 
Willis Fisher, 1831. 
Major Davis Thayer, 1832, '34, '40. 
Ensign Seth Dean, 1834. 
Joel Daniels, 1837. 
Col. Nathan Cleveland, 1838, '39. 
Ward Adams. 1840. 



Albert Daniels, 1841. 
Col. Saul B. Scott, 1843, '44. 
Dr. Shadraek Atwood, 1847. 
Col. Paul Clark, 1848. 
Geo. W. Nason, 1850. 
William Metcalf, 1851. 
Capt. Hartford Leonard, 18.52. 
Seneca Hills, 1855. 
Mason F. Southworth, 18.56. 
Theron G. Hills, 1857. 
Stephen W. Richardson, 1858.. 
James M. Freeman, 1860. 
James P. Ray, 1801, "77. 
Rev. Wm. M. Thayer, 1863. 
Frances B. Ray, 1865. 
Alpheus A. Russegue, 1867. 
Henry E. Pond, 1868. 
Rev. Richard Eddy, 1870. 
Joseph A. Woodward, 1871. 
John H. Fisher, 1873, '74. 
Davis Thayer, 1876. 



ADDENDA. 119 

XVI. MILITAUY. 

The chapter of our military history may be brief, as the mate- 
rials for its most important portion have already been quoted in 
the historical address. Of the participation of our fathers in the 
earliest struggles of the Colony with the Indians no account has 
been found. Home of them were engaged in the war against 
King Philip, and doubtless in the subsequent French and Indian 
wars and expeditions against the Canadas. But the individual 
participants have been mostl}^ hidden by the obscurities of nearly 
two centuries. 

In a list of Captain Moseley's company of Dedham, dated '' 9 X 
bar 1675" (Dec. 9), are found the names of Samuel Colborne, 
John Day and Robert Weare, of whom the last certainly was the 
ancestor of a Franklin family. In a list of prisoners exchanged 
and brought to Boston in the schooner " Brittania," (Ith October, 
1748, Moses Washburn, of Wrentham, is included as "taken 
prisoner at Brunswick and carried to Canada." These instances, 
however, have little interest beyond showing that, however crowded 
our ancestors were with the founding of their own precinct, they 
were not unaware or neglectful of the needs of their Province 
against its papal enemies on the north. Still, as it Avas so much 
a contest of ambitious rival crowns, they gave to their wars none 
of the enthusiastic response with which the}' met the first move- 
ments towards their own independence. Of this enthusiasm the 
votes and resolves of the town, both before and after its incorpo- 
ration, already quoted, give hearty evidence. The reader is re- 
ferred to that portion of this volume for samples of the patriotism 
of those da^s. 

When it became evident that a collision with the mother country 
was imminent, Wrentham, like other towns, diligently drilled its 
militia and organized its two corps of minute-men, who were to 
hold themselves in readiness to inarch at a moment's warning 
wherever called. The movement of the British troops to seize 
some military stores of the Province at Concord, in April, 1775, 
gave the first opportunity to try the alacrity of these minute-men. 

In the archives of the State are preserved the rolls of the men 
who responded to this first alarm of April 19, as well as those who 
enlisted afterwards in the Colonial service during the War of the 



120 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 



Revolution. 1 am indebted to Mr. A. I). Sargent of the Centennial 
Committee for copies of these rolls, as also of the volunteers in 
the late rebellion. The earlier ones contain simply the names 
and rank of the members. But the intelligent reader will be able 
to distinguish the Franklin men upon the lists. They are, there- 
fore, inserted Mithout comment : — 

A true return of the travel and return and time of service of 
the Minute company under the command of Capt. John Boyd of 
Wrentham. in Con'l Gaston's regt. assembled and marched the 
>«Mneteenth of April last in the alarm : — 



CAPT. JOHN BOYD'S COMPANY. 



John Boyd, 
Ebeiiezer Dean, 
John Gould, 
Jonathan Holbrook, 
John ElHs, 
Reuben Partridjie, 
Eli Kichardson. 
John Pond, 
Samuel Jones, 
rhineas Ware, 
Kalph Man, 
Eli Pond, 
John Plimpton, 
Timothy Adams, 
?sathaniel Adams, 
Joel Adams, 
■\Villiani Adams, 
IMoses Adams, 
\Villiam Boyd, 
Francis Clark, 
Elijali Clark. 
Jeremiah Daniels, 
Comfort Dickerman, 
Obed Fisher. 
Joel Fairbanks, 
Peter Frost, 
Thomas Gay, 
Jonathan Graves, 
James Hills, 
Ziba Hills, 



Captain. 

Left. 

Ens. 

Sargt. 



Corp*l. 



Drum. 

Fiff. 

Private. 



Moses Hawes, 
Abijah Hawes, 
Ebenezer Hartshorn, 
John Hill, 
Stephen Harding, 
Joel Hawes, 
Paid Holbrook, 
Asa Hawes, 
Stephen Kingsbury, 
Timothy Lane. 
Joseph Metoalf, 
Titus Metcalf, 
ILaman Metcalf. 
Samuel Metcalf, 
Samuel Mars, 
Theodoi-e Man, 
Luther Metcalf, 
Samuel Partridge, 
Daniel Pond, 
Benjamin Pond, 
Peimel Pond, 
Abial Pratt, 
David Pike. 
Benjamin Parnal, 
Olivier Richardson, 
Moses Rockwood, 
Amos Rockwood, 
Nathan Thayer, 
Beth' 1 Foster, 



Private. 



£37 b5s. 6d. 
John Boyd, Capt. 



ADDENDA. 



121 



Middlesex Ss., Deccni'r 22, 1775. 
The above named John Boyd made solemn oath that the above 
roll by him subscribed is just and true in all respects. 
Before Moses Gill, Jus. Peace for the province. 
Examined and compared with the original. 

by Samuel Moody, ) 

E^DWARD Rawson, |- Committee. 
Michael Farley, ) 

In Council Feb'y i>, 177(3 Head & allowed & ordered that a war- 
rant be drawn on "the Ti-ens'r for £37 15s. Gd. in full of the within 
roll. 

Perez Mokton, Dep. Treas. 

A Muster Roll of tlie First JVIilitary Company of the Town of 
Wrentham who marchd the thirtieth day of April, 1775 upon an 
Alarm, under the command of Thomas Bacon Capt., and left the 
Place of Rendezvous the first dav of ]Mav following : — 



CAPT. THOMAS BACON 8 COMPANY. 



Thomas Bacon, 


Capt. 


Nathan Daniels, .Jr. 


JSeth Bacon, 


Lieut. 


Robert Blake, 


Asa Pond, 


Sergiant. 


Zephaniah Lame, 


.Solomon Blake, 


Corpl. 


Daniel Thurston, 


Benjamin Clark, 


Private. 


Elisha Rockwood. 


Benjn. Rockwood, 


" 


Elisha Richardson, 


Joseph Ellis, 


" 


Billa Metcalf, 


Eleazer Fislier, 


a 


Seth Wright, 



Private. 



.Suffolk, Ss., Deer. 18, 1775. 
Then the above named Thomas Bacon personally appeared and 
made oath to the trutli of the above roll. 

])efore me, Stepiin Metcalf 
£7 9s. 8d. Justice Peace. 

Thomas Bacon 
Deer, ye 15 : 1775. 

It is evident by the names that the above was the contribution 
of the west precinct to the battle of Bunker Hill and the invest- 
ment of Boston. Wrentham contained at that date two miUtary 
companies, rolls of which 'are preserved. We have copied here 
only the nortli company, although some living in this precinct may 
have been included in the south company under the command of 
Capt. Samuel Cowell. 

As the collision with the mother country developed its alarming 
proportions and the Provincial Congress called upon the people for 



122 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 



troops to defend their liberties, Wrentham promptly responded 
with its quota for the coming war. Many of the men, whose 
names have been already given, enlisted in the Colonial service. 
We can select the residents of this part of the town onl}' by sim- 
ilarity of name. We have the muster rolls of five companies 
" who marched from AVrenthain on the nineteenth Da^' of April 
in the Colony Service," 1775. They were respectively under 
the command of Capts. Asa Fairbanks, Benjamin Hawes, Samuel 
Kollock, P^lijah Pond, and Oliver Pond. They were of the militia 
who constituted General Washington's first command in the siege 
of Boston, and out of them were mainly recruited our quota of 
the Continentals who followed him in his campaigns. Captains 
Fairbanks' and E. Pond's companies are mostly of Franklin names, 
as follows : — 

CAPT. ASA FAIRBANKS' COMPANV. 



Asa Fairbanks, 
Joseph Woodward, 
Joseph Haws, 
James Gillmoi'e, 
Josepli Hills, 
David Wood, 
Peter Adams, 
John Clark, 
Jesse Ware, 
Peltiah Fisher, 
Isaac Heaton, 
Peter Fisher, 
Elisha Harding, 
Levi Chaffee, 
William Sayles, 
Jjimes Smith, 
Joseph Harding, 
William Gilmore, 
Ichabod Dean, 



Elijah Pond, 
Asa Pond, 
Jona. Bowditch, 
Robert Blake, 
Timo. Pond, 
Duke Williams, 
Sam Pond, 



Capt. 


Asa Metcalf, 


Lieut. 


Matthias Haws, 


" 


John Fairbank, 


Sergt. 


Joseph Streeter, 


'< 


John Adams, 


Corp. 


Nathan Wight, 


Private. 


Philemon Metcalf, 


" 


Asa Whiting, 


" 


Abijah Allen, 


" 


Jonathan Hawes, 


li 


John Pearce, 


" 


Mill Man, 


" 


Ebenezer Dean, 


" 


Matthew Smith, 


" 


Asahel Perry, 


" 


John Clark, Jr., 


" 


Joseph Hills, 


" 


Aaron Fisher, 


" 


Joseph Guild, 


LIJAH P0NI)"S COMPANY. 


Capt. 


Amos Bacon, 


Lt. 


Nathan Daniels, 


2dLt. 


Elisha Rockwood, 


Serg. 


Abijah Thurston, 


u 


Robert Pond, 


Corp. 


Zepha. Lane, 


" 


Eleaz. Partridge, 



Private. 



Drum. 

Clerk. 

Private. 



ADDENDA. 12B 

Joseph Ellis, Private. Elisha Partridge, Private. 

Benj. Pond, " Simeon Daniels, " 

Timo. Rockwood, " John Allen, " 

Elias Ware, " Jas. Fisher, " 

Elisha Billiard, " John Metcalf, " 

Daniel Thurston, " Elisha Pond, " 

Nathan. Thayer, " John Richardson, " 

Peter Darling " Elisha Richardson, " 

Simeon Fisher, " 

In a pay-roll of Capt. .Samuel Cowell's Company of Col. Benja- 
min Haw^es' Regiment in the secret expedition Sept. 25, 1777, to 
October 30, we identify the names of Michael Metcalf, Timothy 
Metcalf and Benjamin Rockwood. 

In a return of Capt. Asa Fairbank's Company, enlisted for the 
Continental army, and dated 16th February, 1778, as Wrentham's. 
quota at the time of the division of the town, there are only five 
persons from Wrentham, and none of them Franklin names. The 
rest belonged elsewhere. Another company, Capt. S. Fisher's, 
contains none from Franklin, unless it be John Kingsbur}'. These 
two muster-rolls count fortj'-seven privates. 

In a " Return of all the men in the first IMilitary foot Company 
in Wrentham, called the North Company in the West precinct in 
the town that have enlisted into the Continental arm3% or that 
have been Hired b}' said Company," under Capt. Jolm Metcalf, of 
the nineteen men are eleven from Wrentham, viz. : Samuel Met- 
calf, John Metcalf, William Lane, Asa Hawes, W^illiam Greene, 
Thomas Moloy, Jonathan Norris, Isaac Silver, Hugh Denniston, 
John Barnes, William Pedley. This is dated Feb. 16,1 778. Only 
three Franklin names. 

The town has not preserved, to our knowledge, an^- of these 
muster-rolls or any other data to make up a list of its soldiers in 
the Revolutionary War. In the changes of town clerks, no care 
seems to have been taken to transfer the documents of town af- 
fairs. It is a sample of the general negligence of the present to 
regard the inquiries of coming generations. We have devoted 
much research, and in all available directions, to trace Franklin's, 
share in the Revolution, and we are satisfied that the rolls given 
do not include all who should be on them. Elihu Pond was im- 
prisoned and nearly starved by the British in the old sugar-house 
at New York, and from which he escaped by night, as we have 



124 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

heard him tell his story, but he is not on any roll. Philip 
Blake was blacksmith and commissar}"^ to a portion of the Ameri- 
can arm}^ on Dorchester Heights, and was afterwards in Sullivan's 
retreat on Rhode Island, but he is not on any roll. Penuel^ 
Pond is among the minute-men, but there is no record of his after- 
enlistment, or that he, as his grave-stone in the City Mills ceme- 
tery says, " died 16 Dec. 17 — in York harbor on board a guard- 
ship, supposed to be poisoned by ye British doctors." There were 
at least seventeen Ponds from Franklin in the American armj', and 
how many of other names cannot now probably be determined. 

Of the interesting incidents and deeds of patriotism of that 
period this chapter must be equally deficient. The}^ were many, 
as a few current traditions which we have been told might testify. 

Franklin was not only intolerant of royalists and their sympa- 
thizers, but showed some special favors to British subjects who 
succeeded in escaping from the British armies. Tradition has it 
that more than one deserter found a safe hiding place in the scat- 
tered houses of this precinct. John Adams, ancestor of the Adams 
famil}" in this town, was not the only victim of an English press- 
gang who found refuge here and a home. John Newton was per- 
haps a more striking case. He was a uative of JCngland, born 
about 1755. He had regularly learned the trade of ship carpenter, 
and had also served his full time as a soldier in the British army. 
But he was impressed on board a man-of-war at the beginning of 
the Revolution and brought to America. Feeling that he had a 
right to his freedom, he succeeded in communicating a plan of es- 
cape to some of the Yankees in ornear Boston, who promised him 
assistance. On a storm}' and dark night, while his ship was block- 
ading the harbor, he slid overboard undetected, and, guided by a 
beacon light which had been burning two or three evenings, he 
swam ashore, a distance of three miles. When he landed he could 
neither walk nor stand, but his waiting friends carried him to a 
shelter till he was recruited sufficiently to flee into the country. 
On his way to Dedham he was met and questioned who he was. 
He answered promptly, "•John — going," and so he was, as rap- 
idly as possible, until finally he reached Franklin. The name which 
served him once so well he retained, and was known among our 
fathers as John Going, now modernized into Gowen. He mar- 
ried, according to the town records, 14th June, 1786, Mary Cook 



ADDENDA. 125 

of Bellingham, and had four sons — Benjamin. Asa, John and 
Luther. Luther remained in town on the paternal farm, married 
a neighbor's daughter, Elvira Metcalf, and had also four sons — 
Warren, George, Charles and Horace, of whom the third is still a 
resident of Franklin, and the son of another keeps the Franklin 
House. The others have gone. 

This town also once counted among its citizens a person who 
excited quite a commotion in his da}-. It was immediately after 
and consequent upon the Revolution, and hence finds a place here. 

Genet and his successor Fauchet, French Ministers to the strug- 
gling United States, thought to forward our independence by 
exciting the Canadians to revolt, and, through Adet, it was pre- 
claimed to them that the French would aid them. Some over-en- 
thusiastic Americans rallied to Adet's private call. Among them 
was David Lane. He was a native of Attleboro, but traded au- 
tumns in North Carolina, where he somehow obtained the prefix 
of Mc, and was known as McLane. By this name he married in 
Franklin, 26th October, 1786, Rebecca Gilmore, and had one 
daughter, Rebecca G. McLane, who, in due time, 26th March, 
1818, married Robert Gilmore. On the early death of his wife, 
he married as second wife a Miss Davis, of Charlton, and had 
another daughter, Cynthia, lately residing in Worcester. 

As a sample of his adventurous spirit, he, with Paul Draper, 
built the " old coffee house" on the north side of Market square, 
in Providence — the first house where the floor joists were laid on 
instead of morticed into the plates. It was a famous resort of 
merchants in its day, which the older men will remember. The 
State granted McLane a lottery to help him pay for it, but he be- 
came involved and desperate. In this mood he fell in with Adet, 
accepted a commission as General in his revolutionary project, and 
started for Canada in 1796. His directions were to go privately 
to Quebec, raise a compan}' of raftsmen, who, when mustered and 
all ready with their eight-feet iron-heade drafting pikes, were to 
make a dash and seize the garrison of Quebec, when the city would 
be at their mercy. McLane gathered his men unconscious of his 
purpose, but on his way the next year, ^^a St. John, to lead the 
project, he told his plans to a Frenchman, Charles Trichette, whom 
he had hired to assist, and to John Black, a Canadian ship-builder. 
But Black had just been elected to the Provincial Parliament, and 



126 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

for his own political advancement he handed over McLane to the 
authorities as a traitor and spy. The government determined to 
make him a warning to the French habitants. He was, therefore, 
solemnly tried, condemned, and publicly' executed on the glacis 
outside the wall of Quebec, near St. John's gate, 21st July, 1797. 
The body was then taken down from the gallows, the head was 
severed and held up by the hair to the crowd, the entrails were 
taken out and burned, and the limbs severed, but not separated, 
and his remains were buried at a cross road, after the English pen- 
alty for treason. Grants of land were made to the informants and 
witnesses. But Black lost his reputation for his agenc}' in the in- 
famous affair, and ultimately he became a loathsome beggar in the 
streets of Quebec. It was the last and probably the solitary in- 
stance of hanging, drawing and quartering in America, and that 
upon an American citizen and a Franklin man, who, it was said at 
the time, " might with more propriety have been treated as an un- 
happy lunatic than a criminal — a stranger, friendless and alone, 
he was altogether powerless." 

His j'oungest daughter subsequentl}^ by courageous persistence, 
secured the mutilated remains, and they were brought to Franklin 
and decentl}^ interred. Dr. Emmons preaching a funeral sermon 
upon the occasion. They lie unmarked by a stone in our Central 
cemetery. 

The muster-rolls for the war of 1812 are at present in Washing- 
ton awaiting the determination of claims under the recent pension 
law, and are therefore inaccessible to the public, except at the 
time and cost of a journey thither. . But it is believed that few of 
our citizens engaged in that second conflict, excepting such as 
were ordered out a few days for coast defense. But the war of 

THE KEBELLION 

met with a quick, wide and earnest response. As soon as the 
town meeting could be summoned, 2d Ma^^ 18G1, the selectmen 
were authorized to draw $3,000 for war purposes, and to add to 
the United States pay to enlisted and accepted men $10 per month 
to single men, and $15 per month to married men, who enlisted 
within thirty days. The spontaneous feeling is indicated in this 
vote then passed nem. con. : — 



ADDENDA. / 127 

Resolved, That it is the duty of all good citizens to discounte- 
nance and frown upon every individual among us, if any there be, 
who shall express sentiments disloyal to the Government of the 
United States, or offer aid or sympathy to the plotters of treason 
and rebellion. 

It was no ephemeral impulse, for when the grand conspiracy 
began to develop its formidable proportions and bitterness of pur- 
pose, the town again thus decidedly expressed itself, 19th July, 
1862: — 

The selectmen, clergy, and all good citizens are earnestly solic- 
ited to encourage and stimulate b}' public meetings and otherwise 
the prompt enlistment of the required number of volunteers from 
this town, that our fellow citizens already' in the service may be 
i^heered and sustained by accessions of numbers and strength, the 
rebellion crushed, and peace and prosperity soon smile upon our 
(common country. 

As a result thirt3'-six men were raised on a quota of twenty- 
three, the overplus being credited to Dedham by some agi-eement. 
On the call of August, l^>62, for 300,000 men, the selectmen re- 
ported forty-three men raised on a quota of thirty-four. Subse- 
quent action shows an equally ready response b}- the town to each 
call of the Government for troops. 

Not only the town officially, but individual citizens were gener- 
ous in their subscriptions towards paying bounties and aiding the 
families of volunteers. It may not be in\'idious to other equally 
marked instances to give one sample. In the lev}- of July, 1862, 
Adams Daniels oflei'ed $10 each to the first ten volunteers ; James 
]'. Ray offered the same sum to the second ten which Frank B. 
Ray duplicated ; Henry M. Greene offered $10 to each of the last 
seven of the quota of twenty-seven, to which Albert E. Daniels 
added $."> each ; Da^ls Thayer then offered $5 to each of the twenty- 
seven, and Oliver Dean duplicated Mr. Thayer's offer. A similar 
subscription was made in 1864, in which a much larger nuinber of 
citizens participated and a greatly increased sum was the result. 
But these facts are spread upon the town records for the use of the 
next centennial historian, and need not be quoted to the partici- 
pators now living. 

An incident in connection with the first detachment of volun- 
teers — that over-quota of thirty-six — ma}' find a place here. 
Lewis R. WTiitaker, who had fought for liberty in Kansas, had 



128 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

been specially instiuinental in raising this body of men. and had 
been commissioned theii* Second Lieutenant. It was called Com- 
pany C. Forty-fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Just 
before their departure the citizens met them in the Town Hall, 
10th September, 1^62. for a ftu'cwell. The volunteers had mean- 
while prociu'ed a fine sword for theu" officer. This sword was 
presented by George AV. AVoodward with a teUing speech to the 
surprised Lieutenant. The Captain of the company, ]Minot of 
Boston, followed, and others. * A Bible had already been given 
to each man. and near the close of the meeting a temperance 
pledge was produced to the men. Captain Minot signed it. fol- 
lowed by Lieutenant Whitaker. He then called upon •• the boys'' 
to imitate his example, which they did with two or three excep- 
tions, rushing en masse upon the platform in their enthusiasm.* 
When it was announced that only twenty -three were called for, 
one of the thirteen declared the}' would all go if they went afoot 
and alone. These were not hirelings, but Franklin's own sons, 
and held the spirit of their fathers of 177G. 

As ueai'ly as can at present be ascertained. 218 men were 
furnished by the town during the war. but many of these were 
non-residents. The rolls furnished by Mr. Sargent of the Cen- 
tennial Committee ft-om the State House have been dihgently 
compared with the list in the town clerk's office, and by sev- 
eral persons acquainted ^\'ith the men, to determine who were 
properly citizens of this town. The following list is presented 
as the result. It is not claimed to be perfectly accurate, but it is 
the neai'est to accuracy which the writer can obtain. The town 
might well appropriate a small smn to make the list and his- 
tory of its own soldiers in the rebeUion perfectly complete and 
fuU. The next century will heartily approve of the expenditure, 
and futme pension agents will lose thi'ee times tlie cost to the ben- 
efit of futiu'e claimants : — 



♦Lieutenant WLitaker, now resident in Franklin, liears the commission of the 
Jirst police officer in the town, issued by the selectmen May IS, 1S77. A good 
testimonial both to him and to the morals of the town that it needs but one 
policeman, after a century's growth, to gather in its " wild oats." 



ADDENDA. 129 

REBELLION RECORD. 



Charles E. Adajms, son of Peter. Enlisted June, 1862, Company A, 
Thirty-third Regiment. Was transferred to Forty-first Regiment. Went 
to New Orleans and was changed to Thii'd Cavalry. Returned in August, 
1864. Was under Sheridan, and killed in the battle of Berryville, near 
Winchester, 19th September, 1864. 

Henry P. Adams, son of Oi-en W. Enlisted January, 1861, in Third 
Infantry. Was taken prisoner November, 1864, and in Andersonville 
sixteen months. 

William M. E. Adams, son of Erastus. Enlisted July, 1861, in Com- 
pany I, Eighteenth Regiment. Was discharged at end of service — Sep- 
tember, 1864. 

Alvin B. Adams, son of Oren W. Enlisted July, 1861, in Company 
G, Sixteenth Regiment. 

William W. Adams, sou of Oren W. Enlisted September, 1862, in 
Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was discharged at end of service. 

Andrew J. Alexander, son of William. Enlisted September, 1862, 
in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Lowell W. Adams, son of Oren W. Enlisted September, 1862, in 
Company G, Forty-fifth Regiment. Re-enlisted March, 1864, in Company 
I, Eighteenth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

William G. Adams, son of Gardner. Enlisted August, 1862, in Com- 
pany K, Forty-fourth Regiment. Was in the battle of Little Creek, 
N. C. Was wounded at Xewbern. Was honorably discharged at end of 
service. 

Caleb W. Ballot;, son of Caleb. Enlisted August, 1862, in Company 
H, Fortieth Regiment. Was discharged for disability February, 1864. 

William H. Baldwin, son of Henry. Enlisted July, 1862, in Com- 
pany A, Thirty-fifth Regiment. Was taken prisoner. Died in Ander- 
sonville 23d October, 1864. 

Seth Blake, son of Seth. Enlisted August, 1861, in Company I, 
Eighteenth Regiment. Re-enlisted in 1864. Was captured in second 
battle of Bull Run. Was prisoner in Andersonville four months. Was 
honorably discharged. 

Adin Ballou, son of Albert. Enlisted in Tenth Maine Regiment. 

Owen E. Ballou, son of Barton. Enlisted September, 1862, in Com- 
pany C, Fourth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Charles H. Bemis, son of Henry. Enlisted September. 1862, in Com- 
pany C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

William A. Ballou, son of Albert. Enlisted September, 1862, in 
Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Thomas Coffield, son of John. Enlisted July, 1862, in Company I, 
Eighteenth Regiment. Re-enlisted for three years. Was honorably dis- 
charged. 



130 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Bartox F. Cook, son of Milton. Enlisted September, 1861, in Com- 
pany H, Third Battalion, Eliode Island Artillery. Re-enlisted. Was 
honorably discharged. 

Joseph W. Cook, son of Winslow. Enlisted in Rhode Island Cavalry. 
Was honorably discharged. 

Daniel C. Cor.iux, son of Otis, Jr. Enlisted July, 1861. Was in bat- 
tle at Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. Was wounded. Was 
discharged January, ISGo. 

AxTnoxY CoxxER, son of Isaac. Enlisted May, 1861, in Company I, 
Eighteenth Regiment. Re-enlisted. Was transferred to the Thirty- sec- 
ond Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

George Clark, son of John. Enlisted May, 1861, in Company I, 
Eighteenth Regiment. Re-enlisted. Was taken prisoner. Died in An- 
dersonville. 

N.^THAN Clark, son of Alfred. Enlisted July, 1861, in Company I, 
Eighteenth Regiment. Re-enlisted. Was wounded in the battle of the 
Wilderness. Was discharged. Died at home in consequence of wounds. 

James Clark, son of John. Enlisted July, 1861, in Company B, 
Eighteenth Regiment. 

Barton A. Colvin, son of Jasper. Enlisted September, 1862, in Com- 
pany C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Charles A. Cole, son of . Enlisted September, 1862, in Com- 
pany C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

George W. J. Cole, son of . Enlisted September, 1862, in Com- 
pany C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Cornelius Dugan, son of . Enlisted July, 1862, in Company 

K, Thiity-third Regiment. Was transferred to Third Cavalry. Was at 
the capture of Port Hiulson. Was honorably discharged. 

Joseph Day, son of Ilermon. Enlisted July, 1862, in Company A, 
Thirty-fifth Regiment. Was transferred to veterans. Was sick and 
discharged. 

EowAiio II. Freeman, son of James M. Enlisted September, 1862, 
in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

George M. Farrington, son of Nathan. Enlisted July, 1862, in 
Company A, Thirty-fifth Regiment. Was promoted to First Sergeant. 
Was in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Sulphur Springs, 
Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, and Jackson, Miss. Was wounded and dis- 
charged. 

Alfred J. Fitspatrick, son of John L. Enlisted July, 1861, in Com- 
pany H, Eighteenth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

John M. Fisher, son of Weston. Enlisted August, 1862, in Company C, 
Thirty-eighth Regiment. Was killed at Berryville 10th September, 1864. 

Walter M. Fisher, son of Walter H. Enlisted September, 1862, in 
Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Marcus Gilmore, son of Marcus. Enlisted July, 1862, in Company 
A, Thirty-fifth Regiment. Was in the battles of South Mountain and 
Antietam. Was honorably discharged. 



ADDENDA. IBl 

William S. Gilmore, son of Philander. Enlisted in Company F, 
Tenth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Nathaniel S. Grow, son of Nathaniel. Enlisted September, 1862, 
in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Samuel E. Gay, son of Willard. Enlisted September, 1861 , in Com- 
pany K, Thirty-first Regiment. Was discharged at Kennea, La., Octo- 
ber, 1862, for disability. 

Pliny A. Holbrook, son of Ellis. Enlisted September, 1862, in Com- 
pany C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Joseph W. Holbrook, son of Eliphalet. Enlisted September, 1862, 
in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Samuel C. Hunt, son of Rev. Samuel. Enlisted September, 1862, in 
Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was Hospital Steward in Foster 
General Hospital, Newbern, N. C. Was honorably discharged. 

Frank F. Hodges, son of Willard. Enlisted September, 1862, in Com- 
pany C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Norman Hastings, son of Nathaniel. Enlisted September, 1862, in 
Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Died on return 27th June, 1863, as 
the ship was entering Boston harbor. 

Albert L. Jordan, son of Alfred. Enlisted July, 1862, in Company I, 
Eighteenth Regiment. Was wounded at Gettysburg, the bullet passing 
through his wallet and his wife's picture; also at Antietam, Bobster Mills 
(?), Blackburn's Ford, and Chancellorsville. Was honorably discharged. 

Henry A. Jordan, son of Alfred. Enlisted October, 1861, in Company 
H, First Cavalry. Re-enlisted in Third Cavalry. Was honorably discharged. 

Samuel H. Jordan, son of Alfred. Enlisted September, 1862, in 
Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Re-enlisted in Company I, Eigh- 
teenth Regiment. He lost his left arm at Cold Harbor. June, 1864. Was 
discharged disabled. 

Edwin A. Jordan, son of Alfred. Enlisted October, 1861, in Com- 
pany H, First Cavalry. Was honorably discharged. 

George King, M. D., son of George. Enlisted August, 1863. Sur- 
geon in Sixteenth Regiment. Was discharged April, 1864. Re-enlisted 
as Surgeon of Twenty-ninth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

H. D. Kingsbury, son of Nathaniel D. Enlisted for three years in 
Company K, First Cavalry. Was honorably discharged. 

Emery T. Kingsbury, son of Fisher A. Enlisted September, 1862, in 
Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

George A. Kingsbury, son of Horatio. Enlisted for nine months 
in Company B, Forty-second Regiment. Was taken prisoner at Brashier 
City, La. Was paroled and discharged. 

Herbert L. Lincoln, son of Manley. Enlisted July. 1862, in Com- 
pany A, Thirty-fifth Regiment. Was wounded at South Mountain. 
Died in Baltimore 9th October, 1862. Body interred in Franklin. 

Granville Morse, son of Levi F. Enlisted for three years. May, 
1861, in Company T, Eighteenth Regiment. Re-enlisted in Thirty-second 
Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 



132 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Lewis L. Millet, son of John W. Enlisted for three years in Com- 
pany E, Twelfth Regiment. Was wounded at Bull Run 30th August, 
1862. Died in Georgetown, D. C, 2d October. Buried in Franklin. 

Eugene H. Marsh, son of Lewis II. Enlisted June, ISGl, for three 
years, in Second Rhode Island Cavalry. Was honorably discharged. 

JereiMiaii Murphy, son of Thomas. Enlisted September, 1802, in 
Company C, Forty-fiftli Regiment, for nine months. Re-enlisted in Com- 
pany K, Fifty-sixth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Charles M. Nason, son of George W. Enlisted July, 1862, in Com- 
pany A, Thirty-fifth Regiment, for three years. Was honorably dis- 
charged. 

William E. Nason, son of George W. Enlisted July, 1861, in Com- 
pany A, Eighteenth Regiment. Detailed to the Quartermaster's Depart- 
ment. Was honorably discharged. 

George W. Nason, Jr., son of George W. Volunteered 19th April, 
1861, in Company I, Fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, for three 
months. Was discharged 31st July. Re-enlisted 14th August, 1861, in 
Company H, Twenty-third Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, for 
three years. On January 4, 1862, was appointed Commissary and Store- 
keeper in the fleet with Burnside's expedition at Annapolis, Md. March 
20th was transferred to Provost Marshal's Department at ISTewbern, 
N. C. May 2, 1864, was appointed Colonel of Fire Department Regiment. 
Was honorably discharged 23d June, 1865, at end of service. [The Fire 
Department Regiment consisted of 800 white men, and was organized by 
the Commanding General both as infantry soldiers and to i^rotect the 
Government stores at Newbern from rebel incendiaries. Colonel Xason 
was first elected Chief Engineer by ballot of the regiment, and then ap- 
pointed Colonel by the General in command.] 

Albert D. Nasox, son of George W. Enlisted September, 1862, in 
Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment, for nine months. Was honorably 
discharged. 

Albert J. Newell, son of Arnold J. Enlisted for three years in Com- 
pany I, Twenty-third Regiment. 

Olney p. Newell, son of Hiram. Enlisted September, 1861, for 
three years in Company B, First Cavalry. Was honorably discharged. 

Duane Newell, son of Nelson C. Enlisted September, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Re-enlisted in Twelfth 
Heavy Artillery. Was discharged for disability. 

George L. Partridge, son of Seth. Enlisted September, 1862, for 
nine months in Company B, Forty-second Regiment. Was honoi-ably 
discharged. 

Whipple Peck, son of Whipple. Enlisted for three years in First 
Rhode Island Regiment. Was discharged for disability in 1864, on ac- 
count of wounds. 

Horace W. Pillsbury, son of Stephen. Enlisted May, 1861, for three 
years in Company I, Eighteenth Regiment. Was wounded at second bat- 
tle of Bull Run, August, 1862. Was discharged disabled September, 1863. 



ADDENDA. 133 

Alfred J. Pierce, son of Isi-ael. Enlisted February, 1862, for three 
years in Third Ehode Island Artillery. Was honorably discharged. 

Israel F. Pierce, son of Israel. Enlisted in Rhode Island Cavalry. 
Was honorably discharged. 

Henry M. Pickering, son of (Samuel. Enlisted September, 1862, for 
nine months in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably dis- 
charged. 

James M. Ryax, son of James. Enlisted September, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Re-enlisted in Twelfth 
Heavy Artillery. Was honorably discharged. 

William Sullivan, son of . Enlisted July, 1862, for three 

years in Company K, Thirty-third Regiment. 

Charles H. Scott, son of . Enlisted July, 1862, for three years 

in Company A, Thirty-fifth Regiment. 

Smith O. Sayles, sou of Oren W. Enlisted in Rhode Island 

Cavalry. 

Thojias W. Sayles, son of Oren W. Enlisted in Rhode Island 

Cavalry. 

Michael O. Sullivan, son of Jeremiah. Enlisted September, 1862, 
for nine months in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably 
discharged. 

George W. Thompson, sou of Thaddeus. Enlisted May, 1861, for 
three years in Company I, Eighteenth Regiment. Re-enlisted, and was 
in the whole cami^aign of McClellan's. Was at the second battle of Bull 
Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Was transferred to 
Thirty-second Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Ransom Tift, son of James. Enlisted May, 1861, for three years in 
Company I, Eighteenth Regiment. Was at the battle of Antietam, &c. 
Was honorably discharged. 

William H. Thomas, son of Sandrus. Enlisted July, 1861, for three 
years in Company I, Eighteenth Regiment. Re-enlisted for nine months 
in the Forty-second Regiment, and re-enlisted as a veteran in the Heavy 
Artillery. 

Abiram W. Wales, son of Amos A. Enlisted July, 1861, for three 
years in Company I, Eighteenth Regiment. Was in the battles at South 
Mountain and Antietam. Was honorably discharged. 

Shepard G. Wiggin, son of Joseph. Enlisted August. 1862, for three 
years in Company A, Thirty-fifth Regiment. Died in Falmouth, Va., 
16th January, 1863. 

Silas H. Wilson, son of Enoch. Enlisted July, 1862, for three years 
in Company A, Thirty-fifth Regiment. Was wounded in the battle at 
South Mountain, taken prisoner, and confined in Richmond. Was paroled 
and discharged for disability. 

Otis Winn, son of Peter. Enlisted August, 1862, for three years in 
Company A, Thirty-fifth Regiment. Was in the battles at South Moun- 
tain and Antietam. Died in Alexandria, Va., 6tli March, 1863, and was 
buried in Franklin. 



134 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Henry J. Wakd, son of Keuben. Enlisted for nine months in Com- 
pany C, Forty-fifth Eegiment. Was honorably discharged. 

Owen W. Wales, son of Otis, Jr. Enlisted September, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C, Forty-lifth Regiment. Was discharged. 

Lewis F. Williams, son of William. Enlisted September, 1S&2, for 
nine months. Ke-enlisted as a veteran in the Twelfth Heavy Artillery. 

John B. Whiting, son of Sydney. Enlisted September, 1862, for nine 
months, in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably dis- 
charged. 

Lewis R. Whitakek, son of Richard. Enlisted for nine months, 
September, 1862, in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was appointed 
Second Lieutenant 3d September. Re-enlisted and appointed Second 
Lieutenant in the Twelfth Heavy Artillery. Was honorably discharged. 

Geokge F. Woodward, son of Austin. Enlisted September, 1862, for 
nine months, in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment. Was honorably dis- 
charged. 

Daniel W. Whiting, son of Willard C. Enlisted for three years, in 
Company K, Twenty-third Regiment. Was promoted to Sergeant. Re- 
enlisted for three years. Was honorably discharged. 

Lewis E. Wales, son of Otis, Jr. Enlisted for nine mouths in Com- 
pany B, Forty-second Regiment. Died of fever in New Orleans, 19th 
June, 1863. Was buried in Franklin. 

John D. Wales, son of Otis, Jr. Enlisted for nine months, in Com- 
pany B, Forty-second Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

George H. Scott, son of George W. Enlisted December, 1863, for 
three years in Company I, Eighteenth Regiment. 

Alonzo F. Eddy, son of Asahel. Enlisted December, 1863, for three 
years, in Company I, Eighteenth Regiment. Was transferred to Com- 
pany D, Thirty-ninth Regiment. Was honorably discharged. 

George L. Rixford, son of . Enlisted December, 1863, for 

three years in Fourth Cavalry. Was honorably discharged. 

James F. Snoav, son of John W. Enlisted December, 1863, for three 
years, in Company C, Fifty-sixth Regiment. 

George R. Russell, son of Thomas. Enlisted September, 1863, for 
three years in Twelfth Heavy Artillery. 

William G. White, son of Adam H. Enlisted April, 1864, for three 
years, in Battery. 

Dana Follen, son of James. Enlisted February, 1865. Was honor- 
ably discharged. 

It is believed, though not so stated in the town clerk's records, 
that all the sur\dvors above were honorably discharged at the end 
of their service, as onl^^ one of the ninet3'-six is recorded as a 
deserter. His name is undesignated. 

The preceding list of names is believed to represent only na- 
tives or residents of the town at the time of their enlistment in 



ADDENDA. 135 

our quota. But it is known not to include all the sons of Frank- 
lin who enlisted in other towns and States. Such a list it were 
perhaps impossible to collect. But it has been ascertained that 
Edward Dean, son of Luther, entered the army from Kansas, and 
rose to the rank of Adjutant-General in the service. Charles II. 
Thayer, son of Nathaniel (see biographical sketches) , enlisted 
while in Providence into A. E. Buruside's First Rhode Island Reg- 
iment for three months, and was in the first Bull Run battle. Re- 
enlisted in First Rhode Island Cavalry, and was put in charge of 
the training camp, at Cranston, R. I., for which he was promoted 
to Second Lieutenant. Served in Arm}- of the Potomac and 
Shenandoah Valle}'. Was promoted to First Lieutenant in 18G2, 
and Captain in 1863. Was wounded and taken prisoner at Kel- 
ley's Ford ; carried to Lib by Prison ; exchanged and honorabl}^ 
discharged 31st December, 1864. Captain Thayer was three and 
one-half years in the service and in thirt^'-one engagements. 
And these are samples only of that time. Could the history of 
those great armies be fully known, no doubt mau}^ another Frank- 
lin boy who had migrated to some other State could parallel such 
examples from his own career. At an}- rate we feel satisfied that 
our town will have no occasion to be ashamed of the rebellion 
record of her sons in the days of the nation's need, and it has a 
right, not to say a duty, to erect some memorial monument or 
hall in honor of its children's patriotism. What better than a 
fire-proof building for its library, town documents and memorials 
of the i)ast century, and tablets of its fallen soldiers ! 

THE CITIZEN SOLDIERY 

of the town deserves a paragraph, not so much for any important 
public service it ever rendered, as for the enthusiasm it always 
excited among the boys of half a century ago. The contour of 
the town was such that two military companies could far more 
conveniently muster than one. These were called the North and 
South companies, and a degree of rivalry obtained between them, 
sometimes for a superiority of appearance and drill, and sometimes, 
as the public sentiment inclined, for superiority of neglect. The 
May trainings were the times for public comparison — when both 
companies manoeuvred at opposite ends of the Common, and 
marched around Davis Thayer's store and Dr. Emmon's house, 



136 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

and the voices of the captains could be heard through the whole 
distance. But the spirit which animated the troops in those days 
evaporated before the next morning. 

Training day was usually enlivened b}- a troop of cavalry, en- 
rolled mostly within the town, which pranced and curvetei among 
the sweet fern at the south endof the Common. But the Franklin 
Artillery struck the deepest awe into boyish hearts. It included 
many members from Wrentham, but its gun-house, cannons, tumbril 
and horse furniture were on Franklin Common . and here it paraded 
according to law. The dark blue and slightly-trimmed uniforms, 
the Bonaparte chapeaus^ with their long black, red-tipped plumes, 
the flashing long swords, the slow march to the dirge-like "Roslyn 
Castle " as the lumbering brass four-pounders were drawn over 
the tufts of grass and bushes by drag-ropes angling outwards 
like wild geese lines reversed, impressed us with some idea of the 
solemnity of war, and fascinated all into always following the 
ai'tillery. But the height of excitement was reached when the 
Franklin Cadets appeared. They had been drilling for weeks be- 
hind the powder-house hill imder a Captain Partridge, from some 
military school, and beUeved themselves to be the elite of the militia. 
At length the}' emerged on the muster-field, with white j)antaloons, 
blue coats abundantly buttoned and sih'er laced, black, shining 
leather caps, and long, white, perpendicular plumes, just tipped with 
black, and new, glinting muskets. Under the command of Nathan 
Cleveland, their first captain, afterwards colonel, they manojuvred 
and marched and involved themselves with such admirable precision 
as to attract continued reinforcements so long as an}- military fervor 
beat in the public bosom. Their line of captains included many of 
the now prominent citizens of the town. The Franklin Cadets, the 
Wrentham Guards, and the Bellingham Rifles, were the flower of 
the once Norfolk County Regiment. • 

Probably some part of Franklin's interest in military matters 
must be attributed to the singular adaptation of its broad Common 
to military display, which led to its frequent selection for regimental 
musters. Perhaps this chapter cannot close better than by a de- 
scription of an old-time muster, from a frequent j)articipant years 
ago. It may give the youth of to-day some taste of the great event 
of boy-life fifty years ago. 

The muster was what the cattle show now is — the autumnal 



ADDENDA. 137 

festival, except that lines of uniformed men took the place of 
cattle and piles of A-egetables. It occurred soon after the weight 
of the farm work was done and the workmen wei'e ripe for a 
holiday. 

The day before muster, a detailed squad of men marked out, 
b}^ a long rope and with the heads of old axes, a straight and shal- 
low furrow as a toe-line for the regiment, which they generally ad- 
hered to until afternoon. A boundary was also roped along the 
eastern side next the road, which marked the limit for spectators. 
On this side were groups of men building rough booths for the 
sale of eatables and drinkables, gewgaws, etc., to the crowd of 
the coming day. It was late at night sometimes before all was 
read}'. 

With the earliest daylight came noisil^'-driven teams into town, 
bringing soldiers and civilians, lads and lasses, from far and near. 
Tents and marquees were hastil}- pitched around the meeting- 
house and on the west side of the Common. Luncheon boxes 
and extra garments were stowed in them, guards set, and at 6 
o'clock the long roll from a score or less of kettle-drums called 
the companies together to the turmoil of the day. Drill, evolu- 
tions and marchings displayed the skill of the captains, and as- 
tonished the fast-gathering crowds until 9 o'clock, when, at the 
vociferous shouting of the adjutant, the musical squads headed 
their companies up to the toe-line already described. The musi- 
cians then gathered at the head of the regiment near the gun- 
house to receive the colonel and his staff" whenever they should 
emerge from the tavern near at hand. On their appearance and 
reception the wings wheeled into an enclosing square, with the 
officers in the center, and the chaplain, on horseback, prayed for 
the country and the protection of life and limb. On straightening 
out again there came the march of the single life and drum down 
and back the length of the line, the official inspection, the regi- 
mental nuinaniverings and dodging the line of guards by the spec- 
tators. At 1 o'clock came dinner in tent, booth, on the grass, 
anywhere, hilariously moistened — possibly with venerable cider 
at least, until at 3 o'clock a big gun (ind a solemn cavalcade of 
colonel and staff with chaplain and surgeon called the scattered 
bands into line for the grand finale — the sham fight. This used 
to be a gi-eat exploit of strategic skill. Sometimes the infantry 



138 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

attempted to capture the guns of the artilleiy ; sometimes, dmded 
into two equal battalions, they furiously bombarded each other ; 
sometimes a tribe of pretentious Indians rushed from behind Dr. 
Pratt's barn with original and indescribable j'ells upon the cavalry 
only to be ignominiousl}' chased back to their invisible wigwams. 
Sometimes the whole regiment formed a hollow square with a can- 
non at each corner in defense of their officers, and banged away at 
unseen and unanswering enemies, while the cavalry ran in all 
possible directions to repel imaginary sallies. Trumpets blared, 
drums rattled, horses reared and snorted, children screamed, ram- 
rods, forgotten in the hurried loading, hurtled through the poplars, 
till a cloud of villainous saltpetre enwrapped in suftbcating folds 
soldiers, spectators, booths and landscape, and until cartridge- 
boxes were emptied and military furore was satiated. The hub- 
bub subsided about 5 o'clock into an occasional pop from tardj' 
muskets, and the wounded — by pocket pistols — were picked up 
in the booths and along the poplars, and the crowd took up their 
winding wa}' — to some very winding — to their "supperless homes. 
And so ended the autumnal muster, but we boys thought it a 
great day. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 



PROFESSIONAL SONS AND SONS-IN-LAW OF FRANKLIN, 



The following roll of natives and of those who have married 
natives of this towaa and have devoted themselves to some liberal 
profession has been made up by a most dihgent and wide inquiry'', 
assisted by Rev. AV. M. Thayer, of the Centennial Connnittee. 
It is believed to be as nearl}- complete as it can now be made — 
deficiencies must, be referred to defects of records or failure of 
letters. It is an honorable roll of which Franklin may justly be 
proud. In the ratio of population few towns can show a longer 
list of coUegiates. It certainly illustrates the impulse which one 
energetic intellect can give to the young minds of a town. Many 
of them have directly attributed their lirst appetite for learning 
and their first encouragement to seek it from the words of the 
half-centur}' pastor of the one church then in towui. 

It is admitted that Franklin has exerted a wide intluence in the 
land through her educated children. May their power for the 
true and the good never diminish, but increase in width and depth, 
so that it may continue to be said of her coming sons, with increas- 
ing satisfaction and larger numbers, "■ this man was born there." 

George A. Adajms, Esq., son of Gardner and Eunice R. Adams, 
was born in Springfield 3d April, 1850, but returned soon after 
to Franklin, w^here he attended school and in 18G9 graduated at 
Dean Academ}'. He then entered Tuft's College, but in conse- 
quence of a serious fall was obliged to remit stud}- for a 3'ear. In 
1871 and 1872 he was able to teach school in Goddard Seminary, 
Barre, Vt., where he began the study of law. In 1873, May 8th, 
he was admitted to the bar at Dedhaoi, and in July opened an 
office in Attleboro, where he now is in his profession. 



140 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Mr. Adams married, November, 1872, Clara I., daughter of 
Horace M. Gowen, of Franklin. They have two children. 

Rev. James Adams was son of Dea. James and Sai'ah (Bacon) 
Adams, and was horn in South Franklin 21st October, 1800. 
After the usual public school training he studied Latin a few 
months and at 16 entered a printing office in Dedham. About 
1819 he went to Portland, Me., where, finding no room in a 
Congregational church, he attended and became interested in the 
Episcopal service. In 1836 he removed to Burlington, N. J,, and 
edited the Burlington Gazette until 1839, which paper was largely 
instrumental during that time in canying the State for the Whigs. 
Meanwhile, under the direction of Bishop Doane, he studied 
for the ministry and was ordained by the Bishop 2oth April, 1839. 
He devoted himself henceforth chiefly to the upbuilding of feeble 
churches in New Jersey and Connecticut. He preached in Flera- 
ington, Alexandria, and Lambertville about ten years. Thence 
he went to Cohoes, N. J., until 1851. Then was assistant rector 
in Elizabeth. He next removed to New York, where he aided in 
establishing the ''House of Mercy," and acted as chaplain on 
Blackwell's Island until he fell into a severe sickness. On recov- 
ery Mr. Adams went to liedding. Conn., for two 3-ears ; to Bethany 
until 1858, thence to Tarifville for two years, and thence to Po- 
quetannock, where he died as rector of St. James church 24th 
October, 1869. It was said of him — " faithful unto death." 

Rev. Mr. Adams married, 28th November, 1827, Miss Caroline 
Brooks of Milton, Mass., who died at Lambertville, N. J., 10th 
May, 1845. They had five children, only two of whom ai'e now 
living — Ellen Winslow Adams of Hyde Park, and Julia Frances 
Adams of Medway. 

Prof. Alois Samuel Allen, M. D., was born in Franldin 13th 
November, 1803, and was the oldest child of Dea. Samuel and 
Sarah AVood (Aldis) Allen. Some of his early years were spent 
in the family of Dr. Emmons, where he received his first impulse 
towards. a collegiate education. In the family of Dr. Ide he be- 
came a Christian, and began the study of Latin with Dr. Ide. 
He completed his preparation by two years' study in Phillips' Acad- 
emy, and entered Yale College, graduating in 1827. He was 
teacher of music, gymnastics and penmanship one year in Dr. 
Sereno Dwight's Gymnasium, and then studied medicine with Dr, 



ADDENDA. 



141 



Smith of New Haven. After graduation as M. D. he settled in 
Bridoeport, Conn. In 1833 he went to Jacksonville, III., where 
he di'ed of a fever, 9th August, 1833. He had the character of a 
perfect Christian gentleman, and his death was a triumph of the 
Christian religion which he professed. 

Prof. Allen married Eliza M. Weeks of Jamaica. L. I. Of his 
children we arc not informed. 

Benjamin Franklin Allen was son of George and Eunice 
(Haven) Allen, and born in Frankhn. His mother was a daugh- 
ter of Asa and Eunice (Aldis) Haven, and was born in Frankhn 
17th March, 1773. The family resided in several places, and 
finally settled in Albany, N. Y., where the father died young, 
leavino- only the above son. B. Franklin went to live with his 
relatiA^e, Hon. Asa Aldis, in 8t. Albans, Vt. He fitted for col- 
lege in the academy there, and graduated at Brown University, 
1817. After graduation he became Principal of Greenwich Acad- 
emy, but died at the end of his first year. His intended marriage 
with Miss Lucia Richmond of Providence was never consummated, 
and his promise of usefulness, so suddenly cut off, was a great grief 

to his friends. 

Judge Asa Aldis,* son of Nathan and Sarah (Metcalf) Aldis, 
was born in Franklin , 1 4th April ,1770. His mother was a daugh- 
ter of Jonathan Metcalf. She died, leaving only this child, a little 
over two years old. His father was a merchant in Frankhn, J3ut 
was preparing to move to Boston when he died, in May, 1775, 
thus leaving Asa an orphan of five years. His father was ac- 
cused of being a Tory, which his intimacy with a British officer 
and his removal to Boston, seemed to justify, but which his friends, 
Dr. Emmons in particular, would not admit. He probably 
dreaded disturbances and took no side in the coming strife. The 
people, however, on his death, demanded the confiscation of his 
property, and a mob broke open his store and seized the goods, but 
they found no account books, notes, or papers of value to confirm or 
dispel their suspicions. 



* It was only upon particular request that tlie following has been furnished 
from a sketch, prepared for the family alone by Mrs. Judge Kellogg of Brattle 
boro, Vt., daughter of Judge Aldis. The light it casts upon the olden times will 
justify its full quotation. 



142 iaiSTORY OF franklin. 

Judge Stephen Metcalf. the brother of Asa's mother, took the 
guardianship of the lad, and placed him with a sister of his mother, 
the wife of Rev. Daniel Pond, in Medwaj-. This famil}' were 
warm Republicans, and his aunt had made a vow, when the tea 
was thrown overboard, that another cup of tea should never be made 
in her house. The onlv Boston paper taken in their neighborhood 
came to Mr. Pond's, and on its weekly arrival all gathered at his 
house in the evening to hear it read. The}' sat in the large 
kitchen — little Asa on the dye-tub on one side of the fire-place, 
while his uncle read. The Hsteners had relatives and friends in the 
war, and the news was commented upon and deeply pondered in 
this as in all New England homes. 

One illustrative incident of the spirit of the lad. A certain 
cooper alone disapproved of Washington. For weeks he had said, 
' ' Washington should have been here — he should have been there 
— he was always doing wrong." No one ever replied. One night, 
when the}' were all gone, the little bo}' stretched up to his aunt 
sajdng, "Aunt, wh}- don't they put out Washington and put in. 
cooper White?" 

Another anecdote illustrates the spirit of the household. On a 
dark, windy, rainy November night, as they were all sitting around 
the fire, there was a knock on the outside door. On opening, there 
stood a man belated, and it was some ways to a tavern. At- 
tracted by their light, he had stopped to ask for a night's lodging. 
"Certainly, we can keep you," said both Mr. and Mrs. Pond, for 
they were hospitable. "Have you a horse?" "Yes." And out 
went Mr. Pond and a boy to take care of the horse. The stranger 
was given a seat by the fire. On learning that he had had no sup- 
per, Mrs. Pond and her daughter prepared the table, and Mrs. Pond 
was soon cooking some meat over the fire, when the conversation 
took a religious turn. In reply to somethiug he said, she answered, 
" But Moses, in describing the plague of Egypt, said — " " What 
of that," says he, "Moses was nothing but a conjuror!" Mrs. 
Pond looked around at him and asked, " AVhat did you say about 
Moses?" "I said Moses was nothing but a conjuror, and he 
was not." OflT came the pan from the fire. " I can cook you no 
supper ; no man who disbelieves the Bible and calls Moses, the 
servant of the Lord, a conjuror, can stay in m}- house over night." 
Just then Mr. Pond came in from feeding the horse. She repeated 



ADDENDA. 143 

the conversation, adding, "we cannot keep him." "No." said 
Mr. Pond, " I will get 3'our horse." The man begged to stay, 
but to no purpose, and he had to go on his journey in the dark. 
It was in such a family Asa passed his childhood and laid the 
foundation of his character. He afterward said of them he never 
knew them to do a thing the}' believed to be wrong. 

At the close of the Revolutionary' War, and when the Independ- 
ence of the States had been acknowledged, Judge Metcalf received 
a request from a Mr. Amory of Boston, to bring Mr. Nathan 
Aldis' son to Boston. He went, and was advised to ascertain 
from the General Court, then in session, what disposition was to 
be made of Mr. Aldis' property. On the declaration of the law- 
3'er, Mr. Sullivan, that Mr. Aldis died one 3'ear and two months 
before the Declaration of Independence, and that no evidence ex- 
isted that he had ever said or done anything against the cause or 
measures of the revolutionary' party, the court decided unani- 
mously' that there was no law that would warrant the confiscation 
of the estate, and that it should be restored to the son. After the 
decision Mr. Amor}' informed Judge Metcalf that he had just re- 
ceived Mr. Aldis' papers, which were supposed to be lost. Capt. 
John Goldsbury,* foreseeing the tumultuous times coming, had 
gone, on Mr. Aldis' death, privately to Franklin, and secured the 
papers, and, unknown to his relatives, had sent them to England. 
These papers had been just sent back. 

An anecdote is connected with these papers illustrative of the 
times. Judge Metcalf said to Asa, as the}' examined them, "I 
think Dea. Slocum owed your father several hundred dollars, but 
I find no note. Go and ask the deacon." He did so. "Yes," 
said the deacon, " I owed }'Our father, and you will find the note 
among the papers." Still they could not find it. " Well," re- 
plied the deacon, " if you don't find it. I OAved it, and shall pay 
you all the same." About two years after Asa received a letter 
from Capt. Goldsbury in Halifax, N. S., wishing to see him. He 
went at once to his father's old friend, who told him nuich about 
his father, and the difllculties he had in getting the papers in Frank- 



* Capt. Goldsbury had been one of the chief men in Franklin, but from sym- 
pathy with the British side had gone out of the way of the coming strife for lib- 
erty to Nova Scotia, where he remained afterwards till his death. 



144 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

lin. Inquiring after Dea. Slocum, he took a paper from his 
pocket-book, and handing it to 3'oung Aldis, said, " Asa, Deacon 
Slocum saved my life. I wanted to see a j'oung lad3' friend of 
mine near Frankhn. We had not evacuated Boston. Washing- 
ton was encamped at Cambridge, and I could get to Fi-anklin only 
by crossing through his lines. I forged a pass which took me 
through, but they soon discovered Washington's signatui'e to be 
false, and sent a detachment after me as a spy. I was no spy, but 
I fled for my life. I hid tlu'ee days in the woods. Dea. Slocum 
fed me, and then secreted me in his own house till I got off to Bos- 
ton. When I saw this note against him among the papers, I took 
it out and kept it. It is the only paper I ever withheld. I vowed 
that if 2/0?/ got the money I would bring you the note, but if that 
cursed government got it, they should never have a penn}' from 
the deacon !" 

Mr. and Mrs. Pond and their daughter were now dead, and 
during the settlement of the estate Asa made his home mostly 
with his uncle, Ebenezer Aldis, in Mendon. He always acknowl- 
edged this period — from lo to 19 — to have been the wild period 
of his life, when he went for fun everywhere. His aversion to 
ardent spirits saved him. He said Dr. Emmons never gave him 
up, but passed man}- an hour with him, talking of his parents and 
other things interesting to a youth. At 19 he applied to Rev. 
Caleb Alexander, of Mendon — afterwards a celebrated teacher in 
Fairfield, N. Y. — to fit him for college ; but he hesitated on ac- 
count of his then reckless and disputatious reputation. But Dr. 
Emmons urged him and he took young Aldis into his family, and 
when he left Mr. Alexander said he never had a more obedient 
pupil. Aldis' gratitude to Dr. Emmons lasted through life. 

Asa Aldis was graduated at Brown University, in 1796, and 
studied law with Judge Howell of Providence. After a short resi- 
dence in Chepachet, E. I., he was married, and in 1802 removed 
to St. Albans, Vt., where he entered upon his profession with 
characteristic zeal. In the years of the embargo, and during the 
War of 1812, he was a zealous supporter of Jefferson's and Madi- 
son's administrations. This was the unpopular side in northern 
Vermont, but his violent political opponents were often his warm 
personal friends. On one point he was almost alone. He would 
never permit one dollar's worth of smuggled goods to be brought 



ADDENDA. 145 

into liis house, and even refused to be retained by his old clients 
in any case, if the}' were smugglers. But while he was the Gov- 
ernment's supporter and adviser, he refused all office and gave his 
advice gratuitously. At the close of the War of 1812, he was 
persuaded to accept the office of Chief Justice of Veraiont, but 
declined a second election, in spite of the entreaties even of po- 
litical opponents. 

Judge Aldis was a supporter of John Quincy Adams, especially 
in his anti-slaver}' sentiments. Having joined an abolition soci- 
ety while in Providence, he adhered to its principles in its dark- 
est day, and was among the leaders of the liberty party in his State. 

After 50 j-ears of age he professed religion and was confirmed 
in the Episcopal church by Bishop Griswold. He was also an 
especial friend of schools. Of his integrit}' it was said, after his 
death, that no one could say that he had wronged one man. He 
died 16th October, 1847, aged 77 3'ears. He left at least one son, 
Hon. Asa O. Aldis, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, 
and a daughter, the wife of his successor, Judge L. C. Kellogg, of 
Vermont. The view on the following page will be interesting as 
a relic of ante-revolutionary days. The building on the right is 
the "old store" already mentioned. The Aldis homestead is on 
the left. Both are to-da}' as the photograph reflects them. 

J. Francis Atwood, M. D., son of Jonathan Frank and Anna 
M. (Pond) Atwood, was born in Franklin 20th August, 1846. In 
1864 he entered Phillip's Exeter Academy, thence entered Har- 
vard Universit}-, graduating in 1869. He passed immediately into 
the medical school and received his degree in 1873. By competi- 
tive examination he obtained first choice of places in the Boston 
City Hospital, and was appointed Opthalmic Lecturer. After a 
3'ear's service Dr. Atwood went to Europe for further study, in 
Loudon and Paris and in the Universit}- of Vienna. He returned 
in 1874 and opened an office in St. Paul, Minn., where he is now 
surgeon in the Minnesota Eye and Ear Infirmary. 

Dr. Atwood married, 20th September, 1876, Emma, daughter 
of Samuel Colhoun, Esq., of St. Paul. 

Henry Metcalf Bacon was born in the north part of Franklin, 

24th January, 1854. He is the sou of George "NV. and Julia 

Adams (Brooks) Bacon. He fitted for college one 3'ear at Chase 

& Scott's Academy, Philadelphia, and one year at the Chelsea 

10 



146 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 



High School. He graduated at Amherst College, 1876. Since 
graduation he has been engaged in school teaching, and is at this 
date in Armstrong, Kansas, at the head of a school. 

Rev. AniJAH Richardson Baker, D. D., was born in Franklin, 
30th August, 1805, and was the son of Captain David and Jemima 
(Richardson) Baker. Becoming a Christian quite early, he fitted 
for college in Medway and at Bradford, and entered Amherst Col- 
lege, whence he was graduated 1830. He opened a school in Med- 




THE ALDIS HOMESTEAD AND STORE. 

way village, which gained quite a distinction, but left it after two 
years for Andover Seminary. After graduation here in 1835, he 
preached in Ware, West Hartford, Conn., and at Albanj^ N. Y., 
and finally was settled in Medford, 25th April, 1838. In his min- 
istry of ten years he received 200 persons into the church. After 
his dismission, in 1849, he devoted himself chiefly to building up 
new or feeble churches, as in Lynn and South Boston. 

Dr. Baker, soon after leaving Medford, engaged in Sunday- 



ADDENDA. 147 

school work. He published a series of question books on the 
Assembly's Catechism, or " The Catechism tested by the Bible." 
This has been translated into six languages, and was used in the 
Sandwich Islands by order of the government, and in the mission 
schools of Mt. Lebanon. Half a million copies have been sold. 
He also prepared a " Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount," 
in four octavo volumes, besides writing many magazine articles. 
He received the degree of D. D. in 1870, from Austin College. 

Dr. Baker married, 1st October, 1835, Harriet Newell, daughter 
of Rev. Leonard Woods, D. D., of Andover, and had six sons, 
two of whom are in the ministry, two in process of preparation, 
and one a physician. The eldest died in infancy. Dr. Baker 
himself died, 30th April, 1876, in his 71st year, leaving a wide cir- 
cle of friends to lament his decease. 

David Erastus Baker is the son of Erastus Emmons and Abby 
M. (Bacon) Baker, and was born in Franklin 30th March, 1857. 
After a public school education he entered the Massachusetts 
Agi-icultural College at Amherst, and graduated in the full course 
of study, 1878. He is at present teaching a public school in his 
native town. 

Rev. Mortimer Blake, D. D., son of Ira and Laura (Mowry) 
Blake, of Franklin, was born in Pittston, Me., 10th June, 1813, 
but removed with his parents to Franklin in his fifth year. He at- 
tended Day's Academy, Wrentham, and the Classical Institute at 
Medway village, also studied privately with Rev. E. Smalley of 
Franklin; graduated at Amherst College, 1835, whence also he 
received the degree of D. D. in 1868. After graduation he 
opened an academy- in Franklin, which he taught three years, 
until called to the Principalship of Hopkins Academy in Hadley. 
He resigned this position after one year, to enter the ministry, for 
which he had previously prepared with Rev. Dr. Smalley, and been 
approbated by the Mendon Association. He was ordained over 
the church in Mansfield, 4th December, 1839 ; dismissed in No- 
A^ember, 1855, to take the pastorate of theWinslow church, Taun- 
ton, 4th December following. He still remains among his own 
people. 

Dr. Blake married Harriet Louisa Daniels, daughter of Joseph 
and Susan (Fisher) Dauiels of Franklin, and has four children, two 
sons and two daughters. Percy M., for four years Civil Engineer 



148 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

in United States Arm}-, is now pursuing sanitary engineering ; 
Lucien I. graduated at Amherst College, 1877, since has been 
Principal of the Franklin High School ; one daughter married 
Bradford F. Morse of Taunton. 

The portrait of Dr. Blake was procured and is prefixed as a 
frontispiece, by vote of the Centennial Committee. 

Rev. Nathaniel Chapman, a son-in-law of Franklin, is a na- 
tive of Mt. Vernon, Me. He did not graduate at college, as we 
can learn, but took a private course of stud}- and was ordained as 
pastor of the Congregational church in Bristol, Me., 15th Sep- 
tember, 1824. He was dismissed 7th February, 1833, and in- 
stalled at Camden, Me., 14th Ma}', 1835. Since then we have 
gained no farther infonnation. 

Mr. Chapman married, June, 1823, Sally, daughter of Robert 
and Olive (Richardson) Pond, of Franklin, and has had four 
children. 

Dr. Gilbert Clark, son of Nathan and Nancy (Pay son) Clark, 
was born in South Franklin, 30th December, 1823. He was edu- 
cated for his profession in the Eclectic Medical College, of Phila- 
delphia. After receiving his degree, he settled in Warren, R. I., 
where he died 24th March, 1874. 

Dr. Clark married Miss Eliza Whiting, but left no children. 

Rev. James Royal Cushing, a son-in-law of this town, was 
born in Salisbury, N. H., 23d November, 1800. His youth was 
spent in Thetford, Vt., under the ministry of Rev. Dr. Burton. 
He studied his theological course in Bangor Seminary, and was 
first settled in Boxboro, Mass., afterwards installed, 10th June, 
1835, as pastor of the Congregational church in East Haverhill, 
where he remained until 1844. He next served as city missionary 
in Boston until his settlement in Wells, Me., where he labored 
successfully for ten years. In 1854 he became acting pastor of a 
new church in East Taunton, where he remained seven years, dur- 
ing which time he secured the means to build their present neat 
and commodious meeting-house. In 1861 he removed to North 
Rochester for seven years and thence to the Cape, where he sup- 
plied successively the churches in Cotuit, Marston's Mills and 
Waquoit, until his age and iU-health compelled him to retire to 
his original home in Haverhill, where he now resides. 

Mr. Cushing married for his second wife, 14th November, 1843, 



ADDENDA. 149 

Unity Myra Daniels, daughter of Joseph and Susan (Fisher) 
Daniels, a native of Frankhn, who still lives. 

Rev. Henry Metcalf Daniels was born in Franklin 16th Mav, 
1824, and is the son of Henry and Mary (Metcalf) Daniels. At- 
tended school at Franklin Academy and engaged some time in 
teaching, farming, etc. Entered Chicago Theological Seminary 
in 1858, graduating in 1861. He was very soon after, June 25th, 
installed pastor of the Congregational church, Winnebago, 111., 
where he remained until 1875. With patriotic impulse he accepted 
a commission from the A. H. M. S., and went to Dallas, Texas, 
where he is now, representing the polity of the Pilgrims with hope- 
ful success. 

Mr. Daniels married, 17th March, 1844, Susan Nye, daughter 
of Caleb T. and Susan (Cleaveland) Nye, of Franklin, ''she 
died 27th October, 1873, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. George 
E. Mariner, of Sparta, Wis. Mr. Daniel's present wife was Mrs. 
Fanny B. Nye, formerly of Freeport, Me. 

Rev. William Haven Daniels, youngest son of Henry and 
Mary (Metcalf) Daniels, was born in Franklin, 18th May, ^836, 
and was educated in Wilbraham (Mass.) Academy and the Wes- 
leyan University at Middletown, Conn. After the usual four 
years' course in theology in the Rock River Conference he was 
admitted, in 1872, as preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church 
Mr. Daniels has performed pastoral ser^ice in Jencksville, Mass., 
St. Johns, N. B. , Normal, Chicago, and River Forest, III. He was 
also for a time Professor of Belles Lettres in the Illinois Wesleyan 
University at Bloomington, 111., General Agent of the Chicago 
Theological Seminary, Librarian of the Northwestern Universitr 
at Evanstou, 111. " ' 

Mr. Daniels has lately turned himself chiefly to literary work, 
and has issued some volumes, such as '' D. L. Moody and His 
Work," " The Temperance Reform and its Great Reformers," the 
former of which has widely circulated and been translated into 
French and Welsh. He married a daughter of Dea. Samuel P. 
Merrick of Chicopee, in 1861, September 11th, and has one child, 
a daughter. He resides at present at River Forest, near Chicago. 

Willis George Daniels was born in Frankhn, 22d Octob'er, 
1806, and was the son of Joseph and Susan (Fisher) Daniels.' 
Becoming early converted to the gospel, he turned himself to a 



150 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

preparation for the ministr3\ He fitted for college at Day's 
Academ}', in "Wrentbam, and entered Amherst College in 1828, but 
ill-health compelled him to leave in his Sophomore j'ear, and he 
died of consumption at his home, 15th Januar}^, 1830, to the great 
disappointment of his famil}' and friends. 

Oliver Dean, M. D., was born in Franklin, 18th February, 
1783, and was the son of Seth and Edna (Pond) Dean. After 
learning English branches in the town schools he studied Latin in 
the Framingham Academy, and Greek with Rev. Dr. Crane of 
Northb ridge. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. 
James Mann, of Wrentham, but completed it with Dr. W. Ingalls 
of Boston, and received his degree of M. D. from the Massachu- 
setts Medical Society, in 1809. He practiced in Boston until 
1812, when he removed to Medway, but his health broke down 
under his labors here, and in 1817 he left his profession to assume 
the superintendency 'of the Medway Cotton Mills, which had been 
built in 1804, burnt in October, 1807, and re-built in 1809, by 
Dr. Abijah Richardson, Liither Metcalf, "William Felt, and others. 
Dr. Dean held this office for nine years. In 1826 he was chosen 
SiTperintenclent of the then young Amoskeag, N. H., Manufactur- 
ing Compan}', and continued there for eight years. Having ac- 
cumulated a fortune by skillful management, he retired to a farm 
in Framingham from 1834 to 1844. From the latter date until 
1851 he resided in Boston. He next purchased a portion of the 
farm of the deceased Dr. Emmons and made Franklin his home 
until his death. 

Dr. Dean devoted his last years chiefl}' to plans for tlie educa- 
tion of youth, which resulted in the founding of the academy ap- 
propriately bearing his name, and which his large wealth enabled 
Mm amply to endow. 

Dr. Dean first married Caroline Francoeur of Wrentham, resi- 
dent in Boston. She died 27th October, 1866, and he married, in 
1868, Mrs. Louisa C. Hames of Wrentham, who still lives. He 
left no children. 

Hon. Alexander DeWitt, whom Franklin has a double reason 
for claiming as a son-in-law, as his wife belonged to this town, 
was born in New Braintree, 2d April, 1798, one of a family of 
nine children. His parents were too poor to give him anj^ oppor- 
tunities of education, and he was compelled to do such small work 



ADDENDA. 151 

among his neighbors as he could find. At 15 he went to Dudley 
as apprentice in a small wool and cotton factor}-, where he staid 
five years. In 1818 he came to Franklin and was employed in 
Dr. N. Miller's thread factory at River End. In 1819 he leased 
a larger mill in Foxboro. Here he peddled his own thread in a 
wagon from place to place, carrjdng his food with him. Conquer- 
ing his natural pride against such a seemingly begging expedition, 
when he found that he must urge his own wares to eflfect any sales, 
he pushed himself more boldly and soon secured a circle of trade 
for all the goods he could manufacture. 

In 1820, June 5th, he married Mary, daughter of William 
Makepeace of Franklin, and in conjunction with his father-in-law, 
who built a mill, carried on the thread business in Unionvillc in 
this town. In 1825 he removed to Oxford, where, with three of 
his brothers, he built the then largest thread-mill in the United 
States. Prosperity attended these ventures, and Mr. DeWitt, 
now Colonel, rose not only in wealth but in popular regard. He 
became Representative of the town in 1830, State Senator in 
1842 and 1844, and a member of the House of National Repre- 
sentatives in the Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth Congresses. In his 
later life he has been blind. Colonel DeWitt has just died at his 
home in Oxford, 13th January, 1879, leaving a widow but no 
children. 

Rev. Nathan Tyrrell Dyer, the latest of Franklin's sons-in- 
law, is a native of South Braintree, being born thei*e 1st January, 
1852, and the son of Jacob Storr and Ann Maria Thayer (IIol- 
brook) Dj'er. After passing through the town High School and 
Lawrence Academy at Groton, he entered Dartmouth College, 
gi-aduating thence in 1873. Next he passed through Andover 
Theological Seminary and was graduated in 1876. He was in- 
stalled over the First church, Middleboro, 31st July, 1878. 

Mr. Dyer married, 4th .Tune, 1878, Miss Harriet Mann, born in 
Franklin and daughter of William and Sarah Bacon (Metcalf) 
Mann, still residing in Franklin. 

Hon. Williams Emmons was the son of Rev. Nathanael and 
Martha (Williams) Emmons, and was born in Franklin 2d May, 
1784; was gi-aduated from Brown University 1805, in the class 
with Theron Metcalf, and was subsequently tutor for three years. 
In 1809 he opened a law office in Augusta, Me., where he continued 



152 HISTOEY OF FRANKLIN. 

with distinguished success until 1836. He was a member of the 
State Legislature in 1833 and 1834, and Senator for Kennebec 
county in 1834 and 1835 ; was appointed Judge of Probate in 1841, 
which office he filled until 1848, when he removed to Hallo well to 
spend the remainder of his life in privacy. He died there 8th 
October, 1855. 

Judge Emmons married, 24th May, 1813, Eunice, daughter of 
Judge Samuel S. Wilde of Boston. Judge Wilde was son of 
Daniel Wilde, and his wife was daughter of Dea. Jezaniah Sumner, 
both of Taunton and both noted musicians, the latter being the 
author of the ' ' Ode on Science." Mrs. Emmons died 1821 , leaving 
two daughters, one of whom married Rev. Benjamin Tappan, Jr., 
of Augusta. Judge Emmon's second wife was Lucy, daughter of 
Dr. Benjamin Vaughn of Hallowell. 

Elisha Fairbanks, Esq., was born in Franklin, Gth June, 1771, 
in the house, afterwards, of Hon. Wilhs Fisher, and was son of 
Capt. Asa and Sarah Fairbanks. He graduated at Brown L^ni- 
versity 1791, and began practice of law in Gloucester, R. I. 
He soon after removed to Hopkinton, and thence to Keene, X. H. 
Here he became deranged and put an end to his own life about 
1820. He was never married. 

Theodore Parker Fark, son of Parker Russell and Abb}'" Eliza 
(Alexander) Farr, was born in Franklin, 19th December, 1855. 
He prepared for college at the Dean Academy and graduated, the 
valedictorian of his class, from Tuft's College, 1878. He is now 
teaching school in Sheldonville, Wreutham. 

Prof. Alexander Metcalf Fisher, son of Caleb and Sally 
(Cushing) Fisher, was born in Franklin 22d Jul}', 1794. He was 
of small and veiy slender physique, j'et of such mental quickness 
that he graduated from Yale College in 1813 at 19, and at the 
head of his class. One of his classmates says of his junior 3'ear, 
" It astonished us all to see with what ease he traveled through 
conic sections, spherical geometry and trigonometr}- ; how com- 
pleteh' he supplied defective demonstrations in the text-book, and 
occasionall}' detected fallacies in the author and demonstrated the 
incorrectness of his conclusions. It seemed almost sublime to see 
one of an age but a single remove from childhood, of a figure so 
disproportioned to the magnitude of his subject, and of a mould so 
frail and delicate, march with such ease and steadiness over these 



ADDENDA. 153 

heights which stood in this part of our path." — (American Journal 
of Science, V. 367.) After his graduation he spent a year with Dr. 
Emmons, going through the usual course of theological topics. 
Dr. E. said of him, " He is the ablest man in theological argu- 
ment I ever met." Another called him "head and shoulders 
above all others." He next went to Andover, but ill-health com- 
pelled him to relinquish books and retire to his father's farm. He 
was, however, appointed Tutor in Yale College in 1815, and, not- 
withstanding the fears of his friends, entered upon his duties at 
the fall term. His favorite studies apparently invigorated his 
health, and in two years he was chosen adjunct Professor of Math- 
ematics and Natural Philosoplw. On the death of President 
Dwight and the promotion of Prof. Daj- to the Presidenc}', Fisher 
was elected to his place in the chair of this professorship. His 
devotion and success as a teacher and lecturer were striking. 
Nothing escaped his attention. Some philosophical papers of his 
at this time attracted public notice . Especially an article on ' ' Mus- 
ical Temperament," in SiUiman's Journal, vol. 1, art. 1, was re- 
garded in America and Europe as a most profound and exhaustive 
discussion of that difficult topic. This article was written within 
two weeks, as a relief from severe nervous disturbance. " He was 
a wonderfully rapid, exact and methodical writer, and marked bj' 
originality of thought, delicacy of taste, and determination of pur- 
pose." As a sample, suffering once bitterly under a toothache, 
he wrote out the pros and cons, balanced them, and went to a den- 
tist. The removal of the tooth being a less objection than he had 
computed, he had a second offender extracted as au equipoise in 
the argument. 

But the high hopes of his career were suddenly destroyed b}- his 
shipwreck on the coast of Ireland. Desirous of learning the modes 
of instruction in Europe, he, with sixt}^ others, sailed from New 
York in the packet Albion, 1st April, 1822. When near Kinsale, 
April 22, a gale struck the ship, carried her masts, and dashed 
her upon the rocks. Onl}* one passenger escaped. Prof. Fisher 
was last seen in the cabin examining the barometer. 

Prof. Fisher was engaged to be married to Catharine, daughter 
of Rev. L. Beecher, D. D., but the waves forbade forever the con- 
summation. 



154 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

A white marble slab stands in the Franklin Cemetery to mark 
the fact of his death, with this insci-iption : — 

s. M. 
ALEXANDRI METCALF FISHER 

COLLEOII YALENSIS, 

Prinio Alumni, deinde Tutoi'is, 

Postia Matheseos et Philosophiie Naturalis 

Professor ; 

Qui 

Ingenio capaci et acerrimo judicio 

Prteditus, 

in studia doctrime adeo incubuit 

Ut cum adhus intra juventutis annos 

Ejus versaretur aetas, 

Prop6 summum literarum fastigium 

Altigisset. 

His insuper laudibus 

Caeteras, quae virum bonum eommendat, 

Virtutes, 

Comitatem, 

Benevolentiam . 

Morum Probitatem, 

Fidem in officiis f ungendis maximam, 

Et summum Dei reverentiam 

Addiderat. 

Et, CUV amore literai-um 

Et studio alias i-egiones misendi ductus, 

In Europam navigaret, 

Ad oras Hiberniao. 

Eheu ! tristi naufragio 

Periit ; 

Die XXII AprUis, anno Sacro M.DCCC.XXII. 

.Etatis XXVII. 

On the obverse side : — 

Thy grave, O Fisher, is the rolling flood ; 
Thy urn, the rock eternal reared by God ! 
Yet near thy home, raised by affection's hand 
To speak thy name, this simple stone shall stand. 
How dark the scene, till Faith directs on high 
Beyond these orbs that charmed thy youthful eye ; 
There now thy noble mind expanding glows 
In floods of light, nor pain nor darkness knows ; 
Youth, Genius, Knowledge, Virtue, pass away 
From Earth's dim shores, to Heaven's eternal day. 

Eev. Charles Richmond Fisher was the youngest son of 
Daniel C. and Betsey (Wood) Fisher, and was born in Franklin 
Sept. 17, 1819. Young Fisher left home at 13 to learn the book 
trade, as clerk in William Marshall's store, Providence. Here, 
attending Grace church with the family in which he resided, he 



ADDENDA. 155 

became personally interested in religion, and was admitted by 
Bishop Griswold to that church, then under the rectorship of Rev. 
John A. Clark, now Bishop of Rhode Island. His new views 
turned his thoughts to the ministry', and, assisted by friends, he 
commenced stud}' at the Franklin Academj'. In 1838 he entered 
Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., graduating in 1842 in the same 
class with Rev. Drs. Gallandet, Geer, and Olmstead. 

While studying theology, after graduation, under Bishop Burgess, 
then rector of Christ church, he also spent much time as lay- 
reader in feeble and vacant parishes in the vicinity. He was or- 
dained as Deacon by Bishop Brownell in 1845, and immediately 
began to officiate in St. Marks, New Britain, Conn. Afterwards 
he went to Cabotville, Mass., next to Hebron and Manchester, 
Conn. In 1847, June 9th, he was ordained as Priest. In 1850, 
December 2d, he was appointed by the Bishop as missionary to 
gather a church in the city of Hartford, Conn. He at first held 
meetings in a small and inconvenient hall ; afterwards, as the con- 
gi'egation increased, in an old chapel. His labors were so pros- 
pered that a new building was erected and dedicated in June, 1855, 
called St. Pauls church. Around this church as his center, Mr. 
Fisher labored while he lived. He was the friend of the poor and 
the almoner of the gifts of the rich. 

The newspaper of the day, the Hartford Globe, said of him : 
"The death of ' father' Fisher has spread a general gloom over 
our community. It is seldom that the demise of a man, however 
prominent or however highl}^ esteemed, is so universally felt. He 
is missed everywhere, in and out of church, in the home and in 
the street, at prayers and in society, b}' the rich and — oh, how 
sincerely is he missed and honored by the poor !" 

Mr. Fisher died 24th November, 1876, aged 57. He was stout 
and inclined to corpulency. Too stout for walking, he was obliged 
mostly to ride, indicating the end which came to him at last. 
While rising from his bed on the morning of his last day he said, 
" how well I have slept, how weU I feel !" and suddenly fell back 
on the pillow dead. 

During his ministry Mr. Fisher married 1,717 couples — one on 
the afternoon and another in the evening before his death. His 
fhneral obsequies were attended by a crowd of people, and the ser- 
mon by Bishop Williams was printed. 



156 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Mr. Fisher mamed, 26th May, 1846. Miss Susan B. Griswold 
of Hartford, who with her three children — two sons and a daugh- 
ter — Uve to mourn his death. 

Hon. George Fisher, son of Joseph and Susan (Fisher) Fisher, 
was born 17th March, 1788. on the Maxcy Fisher homestead, for- 
merly called " Buck's Hill." He changed his early farm life for 
a mason's, and worked in Boston, where he saved his earnings un- 
til he could devote himself to study. He fitted for college with 
Rev. William Williams at AVest Wrentham, and by assistance 
from his brothers was enabled to graduate at Brown University in 
1813. After a tour to the South for health, he entered the law 
office of Judge Gilbert of Hebron, Conn., completing his course with 
Messrs. Forman & Sabin, at Onondaga, X. Y. He afterwards 
settled in Oswego. In 1828 was elected to Congi-ess, but was 
supplanted in his seat by Hon. Silas Wright, Jr. He then left 
the law and engaged in the flouring business. Becoming wealthy, 
he spent several years in Europe for the education of his children. 
On his return he became President of the N. W. Insurance Com- 
pany, residing most of the time in New York city, where he died 
26th March, 1861. 

Mr. Fisher manied EUzabeth, daughter of Kev. Dan. Hunting- 
ton of Hadle}-, whom he first met in a stage ride from Northampton 
to Troj', N. Y., whither she was going as a teacher in Miss Willard's 
school. They had six children. The four sons graduated at Cam- 
bridge, of whom two follow insurance in Chicago; another is a 
lawyer in Brooklyn, and the other a teacher in New York City. 

Rev. George Fisher, son of Willard and Betsey R. Fisher, 
was born in FrankUn 2oth November, 1839. He began a collegi- 
ate course at Amherst College, but removed to Brown University, 
and finally had to relinquish colleges altogether on account of fee- 
ble health. The love of a literary career, however, abode in him. 
Having joined the Episcopol church in Waterford, N. Y., in 1866, 
he was ordained deacon in New York January, 1868, and ad- 
mitted to the priesthood 12th June, 1870, by Bishop W. C. Doane, 
of Albany. In 1871, March 19, he became rector of the church 
of St. John the Evangelist, at Stockport, Columbia county, N. Y., 
where he still officiates. 

Mr. Fisher married, 2oth December, 1865, Miss Ellen E. H. 
Wright of Providence, R.I. 



ADDENDA. 157 

Hon. Jabez Fisher was born on "Buck's Hill," now King 
street, where Alfred Metcalf lives, 19tli November, 1717, and 
was the youngest child of Ebenezer, Sr., and Abigail (Ellis) 
Fisher. Althougli without a liberal education, his strong common 
sense, clear intuition and inflexible integrity gained and kept the 
confidence of all men through the tr3-ing scenes of his long life, 
as the offices of trust to which he was elected clearly show. 

He was a representative to the General Court of the Provincial 
government for many years, a member of the house of delegates 
at Salem, in 1775, where he was chosen one of the council of 
twenty-eight which acted as the executive during the opening Rev- 
olution, and of which were John and Samuel Adams, Robert 
Treat Paine, and John Hancock. He was considered the special 
watchman of the country part of Suffolk county, then including 
Franklin, and brought its forces into action. He was delegate to 
the Constitutional Convention of 1788. He declined to be on the 
famous Committee of Safety, on account of his distance from 
Boston, but when the Pro\dncial Congress was summoned to 
Watertown in midwinter, he walked all the wa}' from Franklin on 
his snow-shoes through the woods. He was also on the Gover- 
nor's Council from 1766 to 1772 and from 1776 to 1779, and in 
the Senate from 1780 to 1784, and again a Representative in 1786, 
l798 and 1799. Being now 82 years old he withdrew from public 
affairs. But he continued to act as justice of the peace, to which 
he was first commissioned 8th November, 1775, until 1800; and 
officiated as deacon of the church from Februarj^, 1755, until he 
was unable to attend. He died 15th October, 1806, in his 89th 
year. A funeral sermon by Dr. Emmons (Works, vol. v., 496) 
ably sets forth his character and worth. 

Deacon Fisher married, 5th March, 1740, Mar}', daughter of 
John Adams, and had nine children. 

Lewis Whiting Fisher, Esq. , was born in Franklin 29th De- 
cember, 1792, and was the son of Hon. Lewis and Abigail Fisher. 
He graduated at Brown University, 1816, and studied law with 
Hon. J. J. Fiske, of Wrentham. He afterwards opened an office 
in Wrentham, where he lived until his death in 1827, April 20. 

Esquire Fisher married Nancy, daughter of Luther and Betsey 
Fisher, 4th January, 1820. She is still living in Wrentham. They 
had four children, Lewis Emmons and Henry Jones, now deceased ; 



158 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Elizabeth E. and George Park, who gi'aduated B. U. 1847, and is 
now Professor of Ecclesiastical History in Yale College, and widel}' 
known as author of " Histor}^ of the Reformation," " Beginnings 
of Christianity," and other works. 

Hon. Milton Metcalf Fisher was the eldest son of Willis and 
Caroline (Fairbanks) Fisher, and great grandson of Hon. Jabez 
Fisher. He was born in the south part of Franklin 30th Jan- 
uary, 1811. With a good common school education he began at 16 
teaching district schools in Wrentham, Franklin, Medway, West- 
boro. Canton and Randolph. He prepared for college parti}' at 
Day's Academ}', Wrentham, under Isaac Perkins, and at the Med- 
wa}- Classical Institute, A. R. Baker, Principal ; entered Amherst 
College in 1832, but too close devotion to study, in a class con- 
taining Governor Bullock, Judge Kellogg of Vermont, and Hon. E. 
H. Kellogg of Pittsfield, compelled him to leave college and betake 
himself to journeying for recuperation, in which he was ultimately' 
successful in a complete restoration. He then entered business in 
Westboro, where he filled several offices, but removed to Medway 
village in 1840, and there still resides. In Medway Mr. Fisher 
has held nearl}^ eveiy municipal oflice — he has been Justice of 
the Peace and Notary' Public for Norfolk count}', State Senator in 
1859 and 1860, County Commissioner from 1863 to 1872, and dea- 
con of the village church since 1840. He has been a trader, h 
straw-goods manufacturer, and is now insurance agent for several 
companies. He received the degree of A. M. in 1865 from Am- 
herst College, and while the old chapel stands his name will be 
read on the inside clock-face that marks the tard}" ones at pra3^ers. 

Mr. Fisher married, August 22, 1836, Eleanor B., eldest daugh- 
ter of Hon. Luther Metcalf of Medwa}^, by whom he has had nine 
children, four of whom are now living. One son is associated with 
him in business, the other is a prominent physician in Boston. Of 
the two daughters one is married in Amherst, the other is a 
teacher. 

Prof. Austin Barclay Fletcher is a native of Mendon, where 
he was born 13th March, 1852, but removed to Franklin in 1860. 
After leaving the public schools in town, he spent three years in 
Dean Academy. The j'ear 1869 was spent in Bryant & Stratton's 
Commercial School, Boston. The next 3'ear he was at Wilbrahani 
Academy. He then entered Tuft's College in 1872, graduating in 



^ 



ADDENDA. 159 

1876. The two 3'ears following were passed in Boston University, 
in the schools of law and of orator}'. Since the spring of the cur- 
rent year he has been instructing in oratory, both in the theologi- 
cal department of the Boston University and also at Brown Uni- 
versity, Providence. His intended profession is the law. 

Mr. Fletcher is the son of Asa A. and Harriett E. (Durfee) 
Fletcher. 

James Robert Gilmore ("Edmund Kirke") was born in the 
south part of Frankliu, called " under the hill," and was the son of 
Turner Gilmore, and grandson of William. In 1845 he entered 
the employ of Blanchard, Converse & Co., of Boston, and became 
their salesman in New York State for many 3'ears. At the same 
time he supported his mother in Boston, who had become insane. 
In 1856 he began business in New York city. This compelled 
him to often visit the South, and especially North Carolina, where 
he became so conversant with the people. He at this time origi- 
nated a village in New Jerse}-, and built a house there in which he 
lived. But further particulars of his life are now inaccessible. 

Mr. Gilmore's special fame rests upon his authorship. Being a 
rapid penman and a vivacious composer, his travels giving him a 
wide acquaintance with men and abundant incidents, he began the 
Continental Magazine in 1865, editing and publishing it himself. 
In this magazine his book " Among the Pines" first appeared as a 
serial, with the nom deplume of " Edmund Kirke." It attracted 
wide interest. He also wrote " M}^ Southern Friends" and 
" Down in Tennessee," in which he describes a -visit to Jefferson 
Da\is in Richmond. He was also a party in the famous Greele}' 
Conference with the rebels to effect a peace. His magazine arti- 
cles have been numerous, and their fund of humor exhaustless. Of 
his famil}' and present residence the writer knoweth not. 

Elisha Harding, M. D., the son of Captain Asa and Comfort 
Harding, was born in Franklin 29th January, 1796. After fitting 
for college he graduated M. D. at Brown Universit}^ 1819. Im- 
mediately after his gi-aduation he visited and finally settled in 
Maine. Dr. Harding married, 7th September, 1819, AmeHa, daugh- 
ter of Moses Hawes, and removed to Union, Me., where he be- 
came prominent as phj'Sician, and was in various civic offices until 
1842, when he removed to Thomaston, where he died in 1850, 



160 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Ma}' 6tli. He left one sou, Nathaniel Miller Harding, of Rock- 
land, Me., still resident in that cit}'. 

Rev. "Walter Harris, D. D., a son-in-law of this town, was 
born in Lebanon, Conn., 8th June, 17G1, and was son of Nathan- 
iel and Grace Harris. He graduated at Dartmouth College, 1787, 
and studied theolog}' with Rev. Dr. Emmons, and was settled in 
Dumbarton, N. H., 26th August, 1789, where he died after fort}' 
years' successful service, 25th December, 1843. He married 
Jemima, daughter of Nathaniel Fisher of Franklin, and sister of 
Hon. Lewis Fisher, by whom he had seven children. 

Dr. Harris was a remarkable man. Left an orphan at 16, he 
joined the Revolutionary arm}' as lifer and served his three 5'ears. 
He next bought wild land near Dartmouth College and made himself 
a farm. Being converted by a sermon in town, he resolutely turned 
to the ministr}', and by dint of evening study graduated with 
honors. Reading a sermon of Dr. Emmons', he determined to 
stud}' theology with that man. He found him in Franklin, learned 
his theolog}', found a wife also in the congregation, and became 
one of the mighty men of the gospel in New Hampshire. 

Rev. Thomas Haven was the oldest living child of Rev. Elias 
Haven, the first minister of Franklin. He was born 28th August, 
1744, and was graduated at Cambridge, 1765. He was installed 
7th November, 1770, the first pastor of the Third, or South, church 
in Reading. But like his father he fell an early victim to con- 
sumption, djdng in oflice, 7th May, 1782, in the 39th year of 
his age. His grave-stone says his death was "a most sorrow- 
ful event to the people of his charge," and adds — " a genius un- 
fettered by bigotry, improved by study, ennobled b}' religion and 
by an evangelical temper, and enlarged b}' the most difl'usive 
benevolence, has taken its flight to its native countrj-." 

Mr. Haveii married Anna Bigelow, who died 10th June, 1776, 
aged 21. 

Rev. Alfred Hawes, a native of Holliston, married Clarissa 
Prentiss, daughter of Phineas and Abigail Partridge, of Franklin, 
and became a member of its list of sons. He fitted for college at 
the Franklin Academy and graduated at Brown Universit}', 1841, 
and at Andover. He went West as a home missionar}', and was soon 
settled in Marion, Lid., where he died in August, 1854. His wife 
soon followed him. Rev. H. W. Beecher, then in the same State, 



ADDENDA. 161 

said of him: "If we had a hundred men like Hawes, Indiana 
would soon blossom as the rose." He left four children, of whom 
is George W. Hawes, Professor of Mineralogy in the Yale Scientific 
School. 

Peter Hawes, Esq., son of Joseph and Hannah (Fisher) 
Hawes, was born in Frankhn 6th June, 1766. He graduated at 
Brown ITniversit}' 1790, and afterwards became an eminent lawyer 
in New York cit3\ He was a devoted Christian and an elder in 
the brick church. Rev. Dr. Spring's. 

Esquire Hawes died in earh' life, lea\'ing two daughters, Susan 
and Matilda, both unmarried, and a son of whom we know not 
even his name. 

Rev. Isaac Erwin Heaton was born in Franklin 6th October, 
1808, and was the oldest son of Nathan and Sarah (Boon) Heaton. 
He is descended from Nathaniel and Mary Heaton, original settlers 
in "Wrentham. His great grandfather Isaac took a farm within 
the southern limits of Franklin which his grandfather Isaac and 
his father Nathan occupied. The first printing press in this re- 
gion was set up by his ancestral family, which issued many of the 
first editions of Dr. Emmons' sermons and other pamphlets. No 
relic of that old press is now known to exist. 

Mr. Heaton fitted for college at Da3''s Academy and graduated 
B. U. 1832 ; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Ide, and was ordained 
as evangelist b}^ the Mendon Association at North Wrentham 25th 
April, 1857. He went West as a home missionar}' to Wisconsin, 
where he was for a time the only Congi'egational minister in the 
State. He preached among the lead miners. He pioneered sev- 
eral churches into self-support. In 1856 he went to Fremont, 
Neb., where he still is. The church of seven members which 
he organized there now numbers forty-five with a good house of 
worship and a parsonage free of debt. 

Mr. Heaton married Miranda N., daughter of Samuel Metcalf 
of Franklin, and has two daughters married. 

Rev. Asa Hixon, who married Charlotte Baker, daughter of Capt. 
David Baker, was born in Medway 6th March, 1800, and was son 
of Asa and Polly (Turner) Hixon. He gi-aduated at Brown Uni- 
versity 1825, and at Auburn Theological Seminary ; was ordained 
at Oakham 7th October, 1829, but was compelled to resign in 1832. 
After a long sickness he was able to remove to Franklin in 1845, 
11 



162 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

where he lived in comparative comfort for twelve years. In 1857 
he returned to his first home in Medwa}", where he died 16th No- 
vember, 1862, widely lamented as a clear thinker and conscien- 
tious Christian. He had but one child, David B. Hixon. 

Rev. William Hooper, a native of Berwick, Me., born 1794, 
a missionary to the Choctaw Indians from 1820 to 1828, first at 
Maj-hew, and then at Elliott stations, where he died 8th Septem- 
ber, 1828. He became connected with Frankhn b}' his second 
wife, Eliza Fairbanks, whom he married 28th March, 1828. Miss 
Fairbanks was daughter of Levi Fairbanks, born 25th Februaiy, 
1798. Her father dying a few months after her birth she was 
taken into the family of Abijah Allen. After a common educa- 
tion in the King street school she went to Bradford Academy. 
Catching the missionary spirit at this seminary, she offered her- 
self to the American Board as a teacher, in which vocation she 
had had some experience in Rhode Island. She started in Sep- 
tember, 1827, with ten others, for the Choctaw Mission in Missis- 
sippi, where she first met and afterwards married Mr. Hooper 
the March following. On the removal of the Choctaws be^'ond 
the Mississippi, in 1831, Mrs. Hooper was released and returned 
to Franklin. She became afterwards the wife of Asa Partridge 
until his death, surviving him for some years. There were no 
children to either marriage. 

Rev. Sanford Jabez Horton, D. D., was born in Franklin 24th 
September, 1817. His father, Jabez Horton, was son of Comfort 
Horton of Rehoboth. His mother, Martha Miller, was daughter 
of Philip Miller also of Rehoboth, and sister of Dr. Nathaniel 
Miller of Franklin. 

He prepared for college parth' in Franklin Academy, and com- 
pleted in the Worcester High School, graduated at Trinity College, 
Hartford, Conn., in 1843, and studied theology at Alexandiia, 
Va. He was ordained as deacon in the Protestant Episcopal 
church at Providence, R. I., August, 1845, and as priest in the 
same place in 1846. He became rector of the St. Andrews church. 
Providence, in the same year. From 1848 to 1852 was rector of 
Grace church. New Bedford, and for the ten 3'ears succeeding was 
rector of St. Paul's church in Windham, Conn. While in this 
position he was elected principal of the Episcopal Academy in 
Cheshire, New Haven county, Conn., which office he has held 



ADDENDA. 163 

since 1862. This is an old institution, founded in 1794, and has a 
wide patronage from the denomination who have it in charge. 

Dr. Horton received the degree of D. D. from Trinity College 
in 1869. He married, 14th September, 1846, Annie E. Allen, 
daughter of Paschal Allen of Warren, R. I. She died 13th Sep- 
tember, 1850, leaving two children, Paschal and Nelson Leprelitte. 
He married as second wife, 20th April, 1852, Sarah S. Wickham, 
daughter of James S. Wickham, of Hartford, Conn., by whom he 
had two children — William Wickham, lately M. D. at New York 
University Medical College, and Mary Elizabeth, deceased. The 
son inherits the Miller talent for surgery. 

Rev. Samuel Hunt was a son-in-law of Franklin, but for a full 
account see Ecclesiastical Histor}' , pastors of the Congregational 
church. 

Rev. Jacob Ide, D. D., who mamed Mary, daughter of Rev. 
Dr. Emmons, was born in Attleboro in 1786, and was the son of 
Jacob and descendant of Nicholas Ide of Rehoboth, 1645. He 
was valedictorian of the class of 1809, Brown Universit}^ and 
also at Andover, 1812. Was ordained at West Medway 2d No- 
vember, 1814, where he was active pastor for over fifty years, and 
still lives in his ninety-third j^ear. He married, 13th April, 1815, 
Mary, daughter of Rev. Dr. Emmons, and his wife is still with 
him in unusual vigor for her j-ears. Of his five children onlj- two 
survive — Rev. Jacob, Jr., graduated at Amherst College 1848, 
and now for twenty-two years pastor in Mansfield, and Rev. Alexis 
W., late pastor in StaflJbrd Springs, Conn. 

His daughter Mary married Rev. Charles T. Torrej^, and their 
daughter Mar}' married Rev. Albert Briant, now of West Somer- 
ville. 

Rev. Thomas Kidder was the son of Aaron and Elizabeth 
(Emerson) Kidder, and was born in New Ipswich, N. H., 15th 
April, 1801. While young his parents removed to Waterford, 
Vt. , where his talents and piety enlisted aid to his entering upon 
a liberal education. He studied the classics at Bangor, Me., 
spent a 3'ear in Princeton, and completed the course at Andover, 
graduating in 1834. He staid two years longer as resident gradu- 
ate. He was settled as pastor at Windsor, Vt., 10th Januar}-, 
1838, dismissed in April, 1842, and became chaplain of the State's 
prison for six years. He afterwards preached a j'ear at a time in 



164 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

different towns about St. .Johusbuiy. In 1863 lie enlisted as pri- 
vate in the Ninth Regiment at Newbern, N. C, but was detailed 
as nurse in the Eighteenth Corps in Virginia. He was seized by 
sickness in 1864 and died November 29th of that year, at Base 
Hospital, Point of Rocks, Va. 

Mr. Kidder married, 21st October, 1837, Nanc}-, daughter of 
Caleb Fisher of Franklin, and sister of Prof. A. M. Fisher of 
Yale College. The}- had two children — Catharine Beecher and 
Helen Everett, wife of David A. Alden of Maiden. The mother 
still lives in St. Johnsbury, Vt. 

Rev. Samuel Kingsbury was the son of James and Mary (Up- 
ton) Kingsbury, and a relative of Rev. C^tus Kingsbury, D.D., 
missionary to the Choctaws, through his grandfather, Daniel. 
He was born in Franklin, 18th Ma}', 1798, and lived in a small 
old house near Cress brook place, now in Norfolk. A feeble and 
odd child, he yet had a strong thirst for stud}', and, by the aid 
and encouragement of Dr. Emmons and others, he succeeded in 
graduating from Brown University in 1822. He preached accept- 
ably for a time inTamworth, N. H., and was settled 14th January, 
1829, over a new church in Andover, N. H. After a year, he was 
installed in AVarwick, N. H., 6th November, 1833, and dismissed 
30th June, 1835. His later history is hot known. 

Mr. Kingsbury married, 16th December, 1829, Mary, daughter of 
Josiah Badcock of Andover, N. H., and had seven children. His 
oldest li-sdng son, Rev. William Henry, we find settled in Corinth, 
Vt., 5th January, 1859, and was in Charlton, N. Y., in 1871. 

Dr. Samuel Allen Kingsbury was the youngest son of Stephen 
and Abigail (Allen) Kingsbury, and was born in Franklin 9th 
November, 1793. He was graduated at Brown University, 1816, 
and studied medicine. But he had hardly opened an office for his 
profession in Foxboro, when he died in that town, 8th October, 

1821, aged 27 years 11 months. He was regarded as a very prom- 
ising candidate in his vocation. 

Rev. Hartford Partridge Leonard, son of Captain Hartford 
and Elizabeth (Shaw) Leonard, was born in Foxboro 3d May, 

1822, but removed with his parents to Franklin 1st April, 1829, 
and has since been claimed as a son of the latter town. He fitted 
for college in the old Franklin Academy, and entered Amherst 
College in 1840, but a sudden sickness in his sophomore year 



ADDENDA. 165 

com[)elled him to abandon study and betake himself to some open 
air vocation. For some years he conducted business in Boston, 
where he did good service also in the establishing of the Edwards 
Congregational church. The great question of freedom in Kansas, 
then so fiercely' threatened, aroused liis s^'mpath}', and he joined 
the first company of immigrants with Governor Robinson. He 
went through the John Brown war as a private, carrying a Sharp's 
rifle presented to liberty by a daughter of Rev. Dr. Dutton of New 
Haven, Conn. The spiritual needs of the settlers turned his 
thoughts again to the missionary work, and his wife d^'ing he re- 
turned East to fit himself for the ministry. He spent some two 
years in studying theology with Rev. M. Blake in Taunton, and 
was ordained in Edgartown, M. V., 23d June, 1833. Having re- 
married he returned to Kansas, but the health of his wife com- 
pelled him to leave the West entirel}'. Since his return he has 
preached in Bridgewater and Westport, and is now stated supply 
of the church in East Taunton. 

Mr. Leonard married, first, Emily Whitaker of Franklin, who 
died in Kansas soon after ; second. Miss Lucy A. Chapman of 
Tewksbury. He has four children, the oldest of whom, Willie 
H., is preparing for admission to Amherst College the coming year. 

Dr. Ferdixaxd Letiibridge was a native of Franklin, born 26th 
May, 1778, and eldest child of Samuel and Sarah Lethbridge. He 
studied medicine wiHi Dr. Nathaniel Miller, and settled in South 
Brimfield, now Wales, where he died, 25th March, 1811, aged 33 
years. He was buried in Franklin. 

Hon. Horace Mann, L. L. D.,* was the son of Thomas and 
Mary (Stanley) Mann, and was born in Franklin 4th Ma}', 1796. 
His father was a small farmer, and lived on what was called " The 
Plain." He died when Horace was but 13, leaving him little 
more than a virtuous example and a thirst for knowledge, a brother 
Stanley, and a sister, L^'dia B., of sjinpathetic tastes, who still 
lives in Providence, R. I., the field of her life labors. 

Horace inherited a tendenc}^ to consumption, with which he had 
to battle during his life, and which probabh- gave him his nervous 
sensitiveness. His youth was spent as was that of others at that 

* This sketch is mainly condensed from " The American Portrait Gallery," 
vol. iii, 179. 



166 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

time at farm work in its season, and in the district school in win- 
ter. The bitterness with which he speaks of those j'ears, espec- 
ially of his religious surroundings, he probably did not taste until 
after years had given him a condition more agreeable to his aspi- 
rations. His picture of Dr. Emmons especially must have been 
painted in after years, and from a different position. He remained 
at home with his mother until 20. During this time an itinerant 
schoolmaster, Samuel ( ?) Barrett, opened a school in town. Barrett 
was an eccentric genius, full to overflowing with the classics, 
which he could quote by the page, but ignorant utterly' of the 
mathematics. He would keep school for six months upon a most 
abstemious diet, and then travel in a drunken frenzy for the rest 
of the 3'ear.* A singular grammar published b}" him in ■< 813 is his 
only surviving monument. Young Mann attended tuis school, 
and in it first saw a Latin grammar. With the reluctant consent 
of his guardian, he began the study of Latin and Greek, and by 
assiduous industry at the end of six months entered as sophomore 
in Brown University September, 1816. But such a devotion con- 
tinued in college overthrew his health and compelled him to leave 
his class for a time. He was obliged, also, to gain the means of 
continuing in college by school-keeping in the winter. Yet, with 
all these drawbacks, he graduated in 1819 as the valedictorian of 
his class of twent3^ After graduation he entered the law office of 
Hon. J. J. Fiske of Wrentham, but was soon ffter appointed tutor 
in his Alma Mater. He held this office two j'ears, and then en- 
tered the Law School in Litchfield, Conn. After a year he com- 
pleted his legal course with Hon. James Richardson of Dedham, 
and was admitted to the bar December, 1823. 

Mann's early devotion to study was continued in his legal prac- 
tice, so that it is said during his fourteen years of office life, or 
until he left his profession in 1837, he gained at least four-fifths of 
all cases committed to him. But this success was doubtless be- 
cause he had one inflexible rule — never to undertake a case which 
he did not believe to be right. Li 1827 Mr. Mann was chosen as 



* So says "The American Portrait Gallery." But John Barrett wrote the 
English grammar, of which we have a copy. He was of Hopkinton, the grand- 
son of the first minister, Rev. Samuel, born 1759, and died 4th April, 1821. He 
was eccentric and wayward, but hardly to the degree described above. 



ADDENDA. 167 

Representative of Dedham to the Legislature by the "Whig party. 
He soon became a conspicuous member of that body, and was an- 
nually returned by increasing majorities of his townsmen while he 
resided in Dedham. His first speech was in opposition to close 
religious corporations, and his second in favor of railroads, sup- 
posed to be the first speech printed in any legislature on that now 
dominant interest. He earnestly advocated the suppression of in- 
temperance and lotteries, and the elevation of the public schools. 
He introduced, sustained and carried through the bill for establish- 
ing a State Lunatic Hospital, and was chairman of its first board 
of trustees. He was one of a committee for codifying the laws of 
the State. 

In 1833 Mr. Mann removed to Boston and formed a law part- 
nership with Hon. Edward G. Loring. At the next election he 
was chosen State Senator for Sufl!blk county, which office he 
filled for four successive j^ears. He was president of that body 
in 1836 and 1837. He was also chosen with his townsman Judge 
Therou Metcalf, to edit the Re^dsed Statutes, for which he wrote 
the marginal notes and references and judicial decisions. 

But Mr. Mann's great work was in the department of the public 
schools. These had held a prominent place in his studies and 
speeches, and when the Board of Education was created he was 
elected, 29th June, 1837, its first secretary, an office he held 
for eleven 3'ears. Of his work in this field and its results there is 
no need to speak. The children of our common schools have built 
a monument to his labors in bronze, in front of the Capitol of the 
Commonwealth. Of these labors he says in his "Supplementary 
Report" of 1848, " from the time when I accepted the secretary- 
ship in June, 1837, until May, 1848, when I tendered my resigna- 
tion, I labored in this cause on an average of not less than fifteen 
hours a day. From the beginning to the end of this period I 
never took a single day for relaxation, and months and months 
together passed without my withdrawing a single evening from 
working hours to call upon a friend." 

In 1848 he was elected to Congi-ess to fill the place of John 
Quincy Adams, and was twice re-elected to the House. In 1852 
he was nominated for the Governorship of the State by the Free 
Soil party, and on the same day was chosen President of Antioch 
College at Yellow Springs, Ohio. He failed of election as Gover- 



168 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

nor, but accepted the Presidency and continued in it until liis dcatli, 
2nd August, 1859, aged 63 3-ears. 

Mr. Mann, in 1830, married Charlotte Messer, youngest daugh- 
ter of President Messer of Brown University. She lived but a short 
time, dying 1st August, 1832. It was not until ten 3'ears, in 1843, 
that he married again — Miss Mary Peabody of Boston. In 1849 
he received the degree of LL.D. from Harvard University. Two 
sons now represent the family, both graduates and teachers — one 
at Cambridge, the other in the West. 

Edward McFarland, Esq., was born in Franklin 7th August, 
1856, son of Hugh and CeUa (Doherty) McFarland. He pre- 
pared for college at Dean Academy, and graduated at Holy Cross 
College, Worcester, 1873. He studied law with Esquire Colburn, 
of Dedham, two 3-ears, and one ^-ear at Boston University, grad- 
uating in 1876, being one of the live out of twenty-nine candi- 
dates admitted by a new and critical examination to the bar. He 
is now residing in Franklin. 

Albert Metcalf, son of Dea. Jonathan and Mar}- IMetcalf, 
was born in the north part of Franklin 20th September, 1808. 
He fitted for college, partly at Med way Village Academy and 
partly with Rev. E. Smalle^', of Franklin. He entered Amherst 
College in 1832, but was compelled to leave after one term, on 
account of his ej-es. On a journej- West for his health, he stopped 
at a village in New York called Painted Post, where his traveling 
bag, marked " Franklin," attracted the notice of a Mr. French in 
search of a school-teacher. This led to inquir}- and ultimately to 
the engagement of Mr. Metcalf to open a private school there. 
From Painted Post he went to Auburn, N. Y., where such success 
attended his school that he sent East for an assistant. Miss Car- 
oline C. Plimpton, of Medwa}', was secured, and to her he was 
not long after married. But his health still further failed. He 
was compelled to relinquish his place in school and he lived less 
than a jea,Y after his marriage. He died of consumption at home 
11th August, 1837. His widow afterwards became the well-known 
and successful principal of the Wheaton Female Seminar^-, Nor- 
ton, for more than a quarter of a centurj', and still is active in 
educational work. 

Alfred Metcalf, Esq., brother of Eliab, and son of Dea. 
James and Abigail (Harding) Metcalf was born in Franklin 6th 



ADDENDA. 169 

June, 1781. He was gi-acluated in 1802 at Brown Universit}', in 
tlie class with Melatiah P^verett, Dr. S. Biigbee of Wrentham, and 
Samuel M. Pond of Franklin, and entered the legal profession. He 
removed to Kentucky and began practice, where he was appointed 
Judge. But his health compelled him to seek a warmer climate, 
and he removed further South to Natchez, Miss., in the spring 
of 1819, where he was seized b}' an epidemic fever in the follow- 
ing summer and died at the seat of William M. Greene, Esq., 
near that city, 30th October, 1819. The Mississippi State Gazette 
of 6th May, 1820, printed at Natchez, says of Mr. Metcalf : — 

He was one with whom few could be compared, for he was em- 
phatically the favorite of Nature. His acquirements and his vir- 
tues commanded the respect of the world and the warmest affec- 
tions of his friends. Although always modest and retiring he 
possessed the unconscious art of throwing a charm into his manner 
and conversation which not only entranced the gay. but gladdened 
even the hearts of the sad. He sunk in the meridian of life and 
left a vacuum in society' which others ma}' fill, but which we have 
yet found none to suppl}-. 

Dr. Ebexezer Metcalf was the eighth child of Michael and 
Abial (Colburn) Metcalf, and was born in Franklin, 1st June, 1727. 
His father was an original member of the Franklin church, and 
was chosen ruling elder 8th March, 1738-9 ; he and his associate, 
Jonathan "Wright, being the only ones elected to that office in the 
church. Dr. Metcalf is believed to have been the first physician 
in the West precinct, where he practiced for as man}- as fifty years 
with great acceptance. He died 30th March, 1801, in his 7-ith 
year. 

Dr. Metcalf married, 27th November, 1755, Hannah Morse, and 
had only one son Paul, mentioned further on in these sketches. 

Eliab Metcalf was born in Franklin, 5th Februar}', 1785, and 
was the third son of Deacon James and Abigail (Harding) Met- 
calf of Eiver End. He was intended to be his father's successor 
on the farm, and he spent his time thereon, except in the short 
terms of the district school, until he was 18, when a severe cold 
disabled him and laid the foundation for the disease which pursued 
him through life. In 1807 he fell in with a native of Guadaloupe 
name Lauriel who was being educated in this country, and ac- 
cepted an invitation to spend the winter with him in his home. 
On his return from Guadaloupe in the spring, Metcalf renewed 



170 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

his cold and was confined in New York several weeks under th& 
care of Dr. Dwight Post. This attack released him permanently 
from the labors of the field, and having a decided taste for draw- 
ing he inclined to become a painter. But his friends discouraging 
him, he betook himself to trading in the West Indies. Unsuccess- 
ful in business, he turned himself again to his favorite pursuit, and 
with his father's reluctant consent to what he thought a trifling 
occupation, began the painting of miniature portraits. He was- 
still in feeble health, but when able he traveled as a miniature 
painter for many years in New England, Canada, and Nova Scotia. 
At length he went to New York city, opened a studio and studied 
drawing in connection with it, under John Rubens Smith, a some- 
what celebrated teacher. In 1815 he began oil painting under 
Messrs. Waldo & Jewett. But his health slowly Avaned under the 
confinement, and in 1819 he was compelled to leave his 3'oung 
family and friends, and, furnished with letters of introduction to 
prominent gentlemen in New Orleans, betake himself to that 
city. Being the onl}- portrait painter there, his business increased 
rapidly and his health improved. He remained here three years, 
with the exception of one visit to New York, taken all the way 
on horseback through the Western States. In the autumn of 
1822 he visited the island of St. Thomas. He remained on this 
island and St. Croix four years, fully employed on the portraits 
of their officials and distinguished citizens. A government ship 
was sent also to carry him to Porto Rico to paint its Governor's 
portrait, where he was treated with great respect and remained six 
mouths constantly occupied. He had now attained the highest 
rank as an artist, and his health had become so estabUshed that he 
resolved to spend one winter with his beloved family in New York. 
But the old cough re-appeared and he had to return, this time to 
Havana. He was able here to resume his palette again in its mild 
climate, and for eight ^-ears was occupied with an ever- widening 
circle of patrons. He spent each summer with his family in New 
England and his winters South in his profession. 

In April, 1833, Mr. Metcalf was seized with the cholera, then 
raging in Cuba, from which he recovered, but he never touched 
pencil again. He was able to visit his friends in June, but felt 
compelled to return in the fall, taking with him his second son. 
The voyage proved tempestuous and cold, and was too much for 



ADDENDA. 171 

Ms weakened condition. He was tenderl}' cared for on his aiiival, 
but he graduall}' sank in debility until Jan. 15, 1834, when he fell 
on sleep. 

Mr. Metcalf married, September, 1814, Miss Ann Benton, 
daughter of Capt. Selah Benton, a Revolutionary officer, and had 
four children. It is said of Mr. Metcalf that there are in Cuba 
more portraits by him than by any other artist. 

Ferdinand Metcalf was son of Dr. John and Eunice Metcalf, 
and brother of Dr. William Pitts Metcalf. He was born in Frank- 
lin 22d November, 17G0. He fitted for college and entered Brown 
University, but died during his junior year, 11th October, 1777, at 
the age of 17. He intended to study for the medical profession, 
for which his famil}^ seemed created. 

Dr. John Metcalf, the son of Samuel and Judith (George) 
Metcalf, was born in Franklin 3d July, 1734. He studied Latin 
under the tuition of Rev. David Thurston of Medway West, in 
1755, and medicine with Dr. Joseph Hews of Promlence, R. I. 
He married Eunice Metcalf in 1759, and practiced his profession 
in Franklin until his wife's death, 1st August, 1805, when he soon 
after removed to Vermont, where he died 22d August, 1822, aged 
88. Dr. Metcalf had two children, Ferdinand and WilUam Pitt, 
both mentioned in these notes. 

Dr. John George Metcalf, son of Dr. William P. and Susanna 
(Torre}') Metcalf, was born " in the three-story house," City Mills, 
Franklin, 10th September, 1801. He fitted for college with Mas- 
ter John Barrett of Hopkinton, and at Day's Academ}-, Wrentham ; 
graduated at Brown Universit}-, 1820, and studied medicine with 
Dr. Usher Parsons of Providence, R. I., and with Dr. N. Miller of 
Franklin. He received the degree of M. D. from Harvard Uni- 
versity 1826, and settled in Mendon June 22d following, where he 
has since remained in a wide and successful practice. 

In 1856 Dr. Metcalf gave the annual address before the Massa- 
chusetts Medical Society, of which he was chosen a Vice-President 
in 1860. He was in 1858 and 1859 elected to the State Senate, 
and has held many other offices in town and memberships of His- 
torical Societies especially, not the least of them being the town 
treasurer of Mendon, annually chosen since 1859, or nearly twenty 
years. 



172 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Dr. Metcalf married, 26th February, 1826, Miss Abigail Hol- 
brook. His children were born in Mendon. 

Dr. Paul Metcalf, son of Dr. Ebenezer and Hannah (Morse) 
Metcalf, was born in Franklin 7th March, 1766. He became also 
a ph^-sician in his native town, and promised to be a reputable 
practitioner, but was cut otf in early life, dying 9th August, 1793, 
in his 27th 3-ear. 

Theron Metcalf * was the son of Hanan and Mar}' (Allen) 
Metcalf of Franklin , and was born 1 6th October, 1 784 . His father 
lived on a small farm adjoining the Common, and was next neighbor 
to Kev. Dr. Emmons. The son, showing strong affinities for books, 
began classical studies with the minister, and in 1805 was gradu- 
ated at Brown University. He then studied law with a Mr. Bacon 
in Canterbury Conn., and in April following entered the law school 
at Litchfield — at that date the only law school in the United States. 
He was admitted to the bar of that State in October, 1807 ; but 
he spent a yesir in study with Hon. Seth Hastings of Mendon, and 
was admitted at Dedham as Attorney of the Circuit Court. In 1811 
he became counselor of the Supreme Judicial Court for Massa- 
chusetts. After a year's practice in his home town, where little law 
business ever developed, he removed in 1809 to Dedham, where 
he remained for thirty years as an acknowledged master in his 
profession. For twelve years from April, 1817, he was Count}^ 
Attorney. In 1831, 1833 and 1834 he represented Dedham in 
the House, and in 1835 in the Senate of our State, and was each 
year Chairman of the Judiciar}- Committee. 

In addition to his profession, for man}' years he edited the 
Dedham Gazette, and in 1828 he opened a law school and gave law 
lectures in Dedham. These lectures resulted in a book, since 
highly commended, entitled "Principles of the Law of Contracts 
as applied by Courts of Law." This was but the beginning of a 
series of valuable professional works, court reports, etc., from his 
pen, which have been commended b}- high authorit}' for their " great 
precision, terseness and purit}' of style, with accuracy, clearness, 
completeness and condensation of statement." 

In 1835 Mr. Metcalf was appointed with Horace Mann, two 

*A memoir, prepared for the Massachusetts Historical Society by George S. 
Hale, has given a full sketch of his public career. "We add biographical notes. 



ADDENDA. 173 

Franklin sons, to edit the Revised Statutes of the State. In 
December, 1839, he was chosen reporter of the decisions of the 
Supreme Court, and removed to Boston. His reports have been 
called "the model and the despair of reporters." In 1848, Feb- 
ruar}^ 25th, he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme 
Court. He held this office until 31st August, 1865, when he re- 
signed it, after seventeen years of unblemished fidelity' and after 
eighty* 3'ears of life, to spend his last daj's in the quiet which he 
loved. 

Judge Metcalf was twice elected a Fellow of Brown University, 
in 1832 and 1847. He was also its secretary for six years. He 
received from it the degree of LL.D. in 1844, and the same de- 
gree from Harvard University in 1848. He also prepared the tri- 
ennial catalogues of his Alma Mater for 3'ears, and enriched its 
library with a collection of occasional sermons, over 8,000 in num- 
ber, such as no other library' possesses. He died in Boston 13th 
November, 1875, at the age of 91. 

Judge Metcalf married Miss Julia Trac}', of Litchfield, Conn.^ 
and had three children. 

His son George Tracy graduated B. U. 1853, and practiced law 
in Peoria, 111., until his death. Theodore has been for years a 
widely known druggist on Tremont Row, Boston, and is still in 
active business. He had one daughter, Julia, living unmarried in 
Boston. 

Dr. William Pitt Metcalf, younger son of Dr. John Metcalf, 
was born in Franklin 30th June, 1775. He pursued the Latin 
and Greek languages with Rev. Caleb Alexander of Mendon, 
and medicine with Dr. Samuel Willard of Uxbridge. He began 
practice in 1800, at first with his father, but afterwards hy him- 
self, and continued the widel^'-known and prominent phj'sician of 
this town for forty years. In his old age he retired to his son's 
house in Mendon, where he spent the chief portion of his time in 
reading. The New Testament in the original Greek was his daily 
stud}' up to the last day of his life. He died suddenly' and with- 
out warning 4th January, 1861, aged 86. 

Dr. Metcalf married, 25th November, 1799, Miss Susanna Tor- 
re}', and left several children, among them Dr. J. G. Metcalf, al- 
ready mentioned. 

Dr. William Warren Metcalf, a native of Franklin, was born 



174 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

12th April, 1819, and was the son of William and Sally (Gaskill) 
Metcalf. He gained most of his education at the Franklin Acad- 
emy, but being of small phj^sical vigor constitutionally, he could 
not take a full collegiate course. He studied dentistry with Dr. 
Ma3-o of Boston, and established an office in Franklin in 1847. 
He was an unusually ingenious operator, anticipating many im- 
provements in his profession. About 1862 he removed to Boston, 
but his feeble health culminated finally in a diseased brain, of 
which he died 18th August, 1870. He was never married. 

Dr. Erasmus Darwin Miller is a son of Franklin, born 7th 
April, 1813, at the River End, and the 3'oungest child of Dr. 
Nathaniel and Hannah (Boyd) Miller. He graduated at Brown 
Universit}^ 1832, and after a full course of medical study, estab- 
lished himself in practice at the center of his native town. He 
was admitted a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 
1838, and about the same date removed to Dorchester, where he 
has since resided, following his profession with success, especially 
in the department of surgery, for which the Miller family have 
apparently a peculiar procli\at3' and natural skill. 

Dr. Miller married Louisa Clark, and had two children during 
his residence in Franklin. 

Dr. Lewis Leprelette Miller, oldest son of Dr. Nathaniel Mil- 
ler, and brother of Dr. E. D. Miller, was born in Franklin, 6th 
January, 1798. He graduated at Brown University, 1817. After 
gaining his profession he established an office in Pro\idence, where 
he gained a wide reputation and practice as a phj'sician, and espe- 
cially as a surgeon. He was for years President of the Rhode 
Island Medical Society. He died in Providence. 

His son Nathaniel became a celebrated surgeon, was stud^'ing 
in Europe during the Crimean war, and connected in some way 
with the Russian hospitals, but an early death destroyed the hopes 
of his coming usefulness. 

Dr. Nathaniel Miller, although a native of Rehoboth, the son 
of PhiUp Miller, became a son-in-law of Franklin and one of its 
prominent citizens, as well as one of the eminent surgeons of East- 
ern Massachusetts. He studied medicine first as an apprentice to 
Dr. Louis Leprelette in Norton. 

Dr. Leprelette was a noteworthy man, a French physician who 
left his country during the dynasty of the first Napoleon, and of 



ADDENDA. 175 

whom he would not speak, and followed his profession awhile in 
Franklin. He died there, but was buried in Roxbury. He was 
reticent of his personal histor}^ and few facts onl}' have been pre- 
served of him. 

Dr. Miller received the degree of A. M. from Bowdoin College 
1814, and of M. D. in 1817 from both Brunswich and Cambridge. 
He was also Vice-President of the Massachusetts Medical Society 
for man}' years. He erected a large building for a hospital near 
his residence to accommodate the many patients who flocked to 
him for treatment. He also built a small thread-mill near his 
house which was managed by Col. Willard Bo^'d, his wife's brother, 
and others of that family. Mr. Willard Lovering began his train- 
ing in this mill, who afterwards established with his sons the large 
and celebrated Whittenton Mills of Taunton. 

Dr. Miller married Hannah Boyd of Franklin 1st January, 1797, 
and had three children, sons, two of whom have been already men- 
tioned, and John Warren, a man of business in Franklin. Dr. 
Miller died 10th June, 1850. 

Dr. Miller had an imcommon steadiness of nerve, which enabled 
him to perform the most difficult surgical operations. He was al- 
wa3's interested, active and generous in all matters of public ben- 
efit, and was chosen often to act upon important committees. Of 
his wife Dr. Emmons said, " she is one of the three best women 
in town." 

Prof. Calvin Smith Penxell is substantial!}' a son of Franklin, 
although he was born a little while before becoming a resident. 
His mother belonged to one of its oldest families, and returned to 
Franklin with her four children upon the death of her husband, to 
spend the chief part of her life on the home acres. Mr. Pennell 
was born 24th Januaiy, 1816, in Coleraine, being the son of Cal- 
Aan and Rebecca (Mann) Pennell. The mother was a sister of 
Hon. Horace Mann. 

Calvin S. fitted for college in the Franklin Academy- and gradu- 
ated at Water\alle College, now Colby Universit}-, Maine, in 1841. 
He had the ministry in view, but temporaril}^ engaging in teaching, 
the disposition to it grew b}' what it fed on, the whole Mann family 
having a proclivity that wa}', and cheered on by noticeable suc- 
cess, he continued in the calling to which he has shown himself 
especially fitted. First he taught at Da3''s Academ}', Wrentham. 



176 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

He next went to the High School in Cabottvdlle (now Chicopee) ; 
thence to Charlestown, and to the High School in Lawrence. He 
filled with acceptance the Professorship of Latin language and 
literature in Antioch College, Yellow Springs, O., but afterwards, 
in 1856, was called to the High School in St. Louis, Mo. He was 
elected in 1862 as one of the professors of Washington University 
in that cit}", and soon after was promoted to the principalship of 
the Mar}- Institute — a girls' school under the University charter. 
He is now Bridge Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy- 
in the University, and Principal of the Mary Institute in St. Louis. 

Professor Pennell, while in Cabotville, married Elizabeth W. 
Abbott of Woburn. She died two ^-ears afterwards, leaving one 
daughter, who died in 1874 in Dusseldorf, Germany, the wife of 
James W. Pattison, an artist, residing there. He next married 
Elizabeth O. Emmes of Charlestown, and has one daughter, 
Maria Francis, wife of Charles C, son of the late Chancellor 
Ho3't of the Washington Universit}-, St. Louis. 

It may not be out of place here to add, as evidence of the teach- 
ing faculty resident in the Mann famil}' to which Professor Pen- 
nell belonged, that his father and mother were both adepts in the 
profession, and his three sisters devoted themselves to school-teach- 
ing until called into a smaller circle of pupils by marriage. Mrs. 
Rebecca M. (Pennell) Dean, Governor Briggs said, was the best 
teacher in the world. She is now a widow and, at this present, is 
traveling with a class of 3'oung ladies in Europe for their educa- 
tion. Mrs. Eliza M. (Pennell) Blake was teacher in the Packer 
Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y., at her death in 1857. Mrs. Marcia 
(Pennell) Hersey was also a teacher at her marriage, and is now 
first directress of an Industrial School in Brooklyn. 

Maria Mann, a daughter of Stanle}', brother of Horace Mann, 
and a cousin of the Pennells, attained a high distinction in the 
Western cities as a teacher. These were all members of the old 
Franklin Academy, and hence their success has been a pleasant 
item to record in this seemingly out-of-place corner. The two 
sons of Horace Mann are also teachers of repute. 

Rev. William Phipps, Jr., was the eldest son of William and 
Fanny (Moulton) Phipps, and a descendant of John Phipps of 
Wrentham, 1700. He was born in Franklin 31st October, 1812. 
He attended several terms at Day's Academy, Wrentham, and at 



ADDENDA. 177 

16 taught school at Cit}- Mills and the Mount districts in his 
native town. In 1831 he completed fitting for college at the Clas- 
sical Institute, Medway village, and was graduated at Amherst 
College 1837. He afterwards taught school one 3-ear in Edgar- 
town, M. v., and then studied theology' with Rev. Dr. Ide of West 
Medway ; was approbated by the Mendon Association 20th Au- 
gust, 1839, and was installed at Paxton 11th November, 1840. 
He labored industrious!}' here for nearly thirty 3'ears and to unan- 
imous acceptance, until he resigned and was dismissed 12th Feb- 
ruary, 1869. He soon received a call from the church in Plain- 
field, Conn., and was installed there 9th June of the same year. 
He was successfull}- working in this new position when death sud- 
denly' opened the door to him unto the perfect life. He died 13th 
June, 1876, aged 63 years and 8 months, in triumph and song. 

Mr. Phipps was widely known as a teacher and composer of 
music. He was skillful, too, in the making of his own instruments, 
and it was well that almost his last words were uttered in some of 
his favorite h^'mns. The writer must be allowed to record here 
this brief and imperfect memento of the steady and cordial friend- 
ship of his early and Hfe-long companion. 

Mr. Phipps married, 5th September, 1837, Marc}' C. Partridge, 
eldest daughter of Eleazer, Jr., and Mary (Fisher) Partridge, by 
whom he had seven children, five still living. His two sons, George 
Gardner and William Hamilton, are graduates of Amherst College, 
1862, and are both Congregational ministers. Rev. George G. is 
pastor of the church at Newton Highlands, and Rev. W. H. of the 
church in Prospect, Conn. 

Rev. George Gardner Phipps, son of Rev. William and Mary 
C. (Partridge) Phipps, was born in Franklin 11th December, 1838. 
He fitted for college at Munson Academy, and graduated at Am- 
herst College 1862, and at Andover Theological Seminary in i860. 

He supplied the church in Ashland for two years, from Septem- 
ber, 18G.5, to October, 1867, and was next settled as pastor at 
Wellesley, 23d Januar}^, 1868. After a ten years' pastorate he 
was dismissed 1st April, 1878, to take charge of the church at 
Newton Highlands, where he was installed 4th April last. 

Mr. Phipps married, 12th September, 1865, Kathleen M. Car- 
ruth of Phillipston, daughter of Russell and Susan Ward Carruth. 

Dr. Benjamin Pond was born in Franklin 4th April, 1789. 
12 



178 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

He was son of Benjamin and Catharine (Cutler) Pond, graduated 
from the Medical College, Dartmouth, 1813, as M. D., and prac- 
ticed in Westboro through life. 

He first married Luc}-, daughter of Jonas Gale ; second, Eunice 
L. Clo^-es, and third Lucy M. Brigham, and had three children. 
He died 7th June, LS57. 

Rev. Daniel Pond, the earliest known graduate from this town, 
■was son of John and Rachel (Fisher) Pond. He graduated at 
Harvard University, 1745, and was ordained in Templeton, then 
Narragansett township No. 6, lOth December, 1755 ; dismissed 
August, 1759. He removed to Medwa}-, where, for many years, he 
fitted youth for college. He left the West church, being strongly 
opposed to the pastor. Rev. D. Sanford, for his Hopkinsianism, 
and joined the First church. This induced a long dissension be- 
tween the churches. He finally sold his farm and disappears from 
all record. Tradition says he died at Otter Creek. 

He married Lois Metcalf, who died in Medway, 17th ]\Larch, 
1787. One child onh* survived, Miranda, who married Abner 
Merrifield of Newfane, Vt. It was in Mr. Pond's family that 
Judge Aldis had his earl}- training. 

Dr. Elisha Pond was the son of Elisha and Margaret (Met- 
calf) Pond, born in Franklin 21st February, 1749. He was prac- 
ticing physician in town for man^' j-ears. He married Olive Dean 
and died 21st December, 1807, leaA'ing two children, Edna, who is 
believed to have married Timothy Hill, and Olive, who married 
Abijah Richardson, Jr. His widow married Ebenezer Clark, of 
Medfield. 

Dr. Erasmus Allington Pond is a son of Franklin, being 
born in UniouAille, 6th Jul}', 1828, and eldest son of Goldsbur}-, Jr., 
and Julia Ann Pond. He was educated partly in the Franklin 
Acadeni}' and by private instruction. He studied medicine with 
Dr. S. Atwood, of Franklin, and Dr. Lynch of South Carolina. 
He resided at Baltimore a while and attended medical lectures in 
the Maryland University in that city ; also in the Tremont Medi- 
cal School, Boston, and at the Medical Department of Harvard 
University, where he received the degi'ee of M. D. in 1853. 

Dr. Pond soon after established his office in Rutland, Vt., where 
he still is widely known and employed in his profession. He, for 
the first time in New England, successfullj' performed tracheot- 



ADDENDA. 179 

omv in diphtheria. He is also the inventor of the " new sph3'grao- 
graph" for measuring and tracing arterial pulsation, which proves 
of great value to the profession. 

Dr. Pond was married 19th August, 1850, to Adela M. Morse, 
daughter of George W. and Esther (Pond) Morse, of Franklin, 
and has five children. 

Gilbert C. Pond, son of Timothy and Rachel (Adams) Pond, 
was born in Franklin, 4th November, 1812. He studied the lan- 
guages at the Medwaj' Class. Institute, and entered Williams Col- 
lege, but left to engage as teacher in Lexington, K}'., where he 
died unmarried 5th November, 1835, at the early age of 23. 

Dr. Metcalf Everett Pond is the youngest child of Golds- 
bury, Jr., and Julia Ann Pond. He was born in Franklin, Uniou- 
ville, 26th October, IS-lo, graduated Dean Academ}- 1869, stud- 
ied dentistr}' three A'ears with Prof. I. J. Wetherbee, of Boston, 
and graduated D. D. S. from the Boston Dental College in 1874. 
He is now practicing in his profession in Auburndale, Mass. 

Samuel Metcalf Pond, Esq., the 3'oungest son of Oliver and 
Anne (Metcalf) Pond, born in Franklin 16th November, 1777, 
gi'aduated at Brown Universit}' 1802 ; studied law and opened an 
office in Bucksport, Me. He became well known through the 
State for his intelligence, energy and moral worth, and stood high 
at the bar and as Judge of Probate. He was a leading temper- 
ance man. A notice says of him, "the State, the public, and 
the town have sustained a heavj' loss." 

He married Margaret Danforth, and had seven children. He 
died 23d January, 1849. 

Rev. Timothy Pond, born in Franklin 15th September, 1729. 
Was son of Baruch and Abigail (Slocum) Pond. H. U., 1749. 
Studied for the ministry but is not known to have settled. He was 
Lieutenant in Capt. Lemuel Kollock's company, which marched at 
the Concord alarm, and private under Capt. Samuel Fisher in 
Rhode Lsland, 1776. He lived on his father's homestead, which he 
sold to Dr. Emmons, and which is now in part the site of Dean 
Academ3\ He then removed to Wrentham and died there sud- 
denly 10th November, 1804. 

He married Elizabeth Bullard of Dedham, and had six children. 

Dr. Jenner Lewis Sm^eting Pratt, son of Dr. Spencer and 
Jane (Wheeler) Pratt, was born in Frankhn 16th October, 1825. 



180 HISTORY OF FRAXKLIX. 

He prepared for college at Smith^ille Academy, now Lapham In- 
stitute, North Scituate, R. I., and also under Rev. P. B. Talbot 
of Woonsocket, R. I. He graduated from Columbia College, New 
York city, and studied medicine with Dr. Hiram Allen of Woon- 
socket, and surger}' with Dr. Arnold Hazzard Potter of the same 
town. He then spent the years 1845 and 1846 in the Bangor Hos- 
pital. After practicing a while in "Woonsocket he was appointed 
to and did make a botanical survey of the State of Rhode Island. 
He was also for a time assistant surgeon under Dr. Francis L. 
Wheaton of ProAidence, in the Mexican War. 

Dr. Pratt ultimately settled, 1851, in Michigan as physician at 
Minnesota Mines. Ontonagon river, Lake Superior, where he sur- 
veyed, laid out, and named the town of Rockland. At the time 
of his death he w'as engaged under appointment of the Smithson- 
ian Institute, in writing the natural historv of his region. He was 
a devoted and public temperance advocate, and a successful busi- 
ness agent, accumulating quite a property. His death was sudden 
and painful, being upset August, 1854, in a birch canoe on the 
lake b\- a sudden gale and drowned with two of his companions, 
only one of the four escaping. 

Dr. Pratt married in Sault St. Marie, fall of 1852, Minerva B. 
Aldrich of Cumberland, R. I. He left no children. His widow 
died a few j'ears since in Woonsocket, while on a visit to her 
friends. 

Sfencer Atkixsox Pratt, Esq., son of Dr. Spencer and Eliza- 
beth (Wood) Pratt and half-brother of the preceding, was born in 
Franklin Center 10th October, 1808 ; fitted for college at Day's 
Academy and with Rev. Simeon Daggett of Mendon, and gradu- 
ated in 1830 at Brown University. He studied law two years 
-n-ith Hon. Theron Metcalf at Dedhani, and spent one year in the 
office of Warren Lovering, Esq., at Medway village. He also 
taught the Center schools in Franklin and Milford. and was post- 
master for a part of 1835. In 1836 he went to Bangor. Me., and 
opened a law office. He also engaged in newspaper writing and 
acted as superintendent of schools in the city. In May. 1846. he 
was appointed municipal judge, which office he held until 1860. 

In 1836 he married Mary R. Gilmore, daughter of Da^•id G., 
Jr.. of Newburgh, Me., at that time residing in Franklin. 

Rev. JoHX BowEEs Prestox, who becomes connected with this 



ADDENDA. 181 

history by the marriage of a Franlclin daughter, was a native of 
Fairfield, N. J., in 1770. Early left an orphan, he still made his 
wa}' through college, graduating at William and Ann College, 
Philadelphia, 1793. Traveling for his health, he came to Frank- 
lin, where he found his theology with Dr. Emmons, and his wife at 
Dea. James Metcalfs. He was settled 8th February, 1798, at 
Rupert, Vt., where he suddenly died 21st February, 1813. He 
was a remarkably faithful minister and man. 

Mr. Preston married, 6th January, 1799, Polly, daughter of 
Asa Haven, then resident with Dea. James Metcalf, and niece of 
his wife. They had five children, of whom two sons graduated 
and entered the ministr}', and two daughters married ministers. 

Mrs. Preston afterwards married Dea. James Fisher of Gouver- 
neur, N. Y., where she died 23d March, 1848. She was of unusual 
talents, carrj-ing by her own energy, in spite of povert}', her two 
sons through college and into the ministr}'. 

Lydia Paike Ray, the Jirst lad}' collegiate graduate from Frank- 
lin, is the daughter of Hon. Joseph G. and Emily (Rockwood) 
Ray. She was born in BelUngham 22d July, 1854, but came with 
her parents to Franklin in her infanc}' and has ever since been a 
dweller in the town. Miss Ray began a full course of classical 
study in Dean Academy, graduating in 1872. Thence she en- 
tered Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and graduated with 
honor in 1878. She is now an active member of the firm of J. T. 
& L. P. Ra}-, Franklin, manufacturers of felt and woolen goods. 

A view of the residences of the IRay brothers is given opposite. 
The}^ occupy the site of Dr. Emmons' house on Main street, 

William Francis Ray is the onl}' son of Francis B. and Susan 
B. (Rockwood) Ra}-. He was born in the Makepeace House at 
Union^•ille, Franklin, 2d March, 1854, graduated from Dean Acad- 
emj' 1870, and from Brown Universit}' 1874 ; was the youngest in 
a class of forty-five ; A. M. 1877. He is engaged now in the 
woolen business in his native town, also chairman of school com- 
mittee, and has been parish clerk. 

Mr. Ray married Hattie, daughter of Charles A. Richardson, 
Esq., of Chelsea, and has one child. 

Albert Dean Richardson, born on the ancestral farm in North 
Franklin 6th October, 1833, was youngest child of EHsha and Har- 
riet (Blake) Richardson. Having attended the Franklin and Hoi- 



182 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

liston Academies, he went West in 1850. At first he taught school 
near Pittsburg, Pa., but soon became reporter for the Pittsburg 
Commercial Journal, and afterwards editor of the Cincinnati Ga- 
zette. He was in Kansas during its troubles, and reported them for 
the Boston Journal. He was, while there, Secretary for a time of 
the Atchinson Legislature, and Adjutant-General on the Gover- 
nor's staff. He liecame finally connected with the New York Tri- 
bune, and became its Southern reporter in the beginning of the 
rebellion. He succeeded in getting to New Orleans at the begin- 
ning of the rebellion, and thence could pass at will within the Con- 
federac}'. He was in Charleston at the assault and capture of 
Fort Sumpter. He attended the opening of the Confederate Con- 
gress at Montgomer}^, Ala., taking notes with a pencil in his coat- 
tail pocket, and sending liis reports to the 2\ihune under cover to 
an associate in Canada. He finally succeeded in reaching home 
through the Mississippi States. After a short visit to his family, 
he returned West, but in attempting to pass Vicksburg, then be- 
sieged in the summer of 1863, the tug on which he was was sunk 
by a rebel shot, and he, on landing, was taken prisoner. He was 
confined eighteen months in Libby and Salisbury prisons, but 
finally escaped December, 1864. He subsequently traveled West 
as far as California. Of his experiences in the saddle, the camp, 
and the prison, vivid pictures are given in the volumes he after- 
wards published. 

He retained his connection with the Tribune up to his death, 
which occurred from a pistol in the hands of Daniel McFarland, 
for alleged interference with his domestic aflfairs. He died 2d De- 
cember, 1869, at the early age of 36. "The affair caused im- 
mense excitement at the time." It was regarded generally as a 
case of chivalr}' interfering with brutality. 

Mr. Richardson married, first, M. Louise Pease, a native of Ohio. 
She died 4th March, 1864, while he was in prison. He married, 
second, Mrs. Abby L. Sage, the divorced wife of Daniel McFar- 
land, during the last hours of his life. 

Rev. Albert M. Richardson, second son of Eli M. and Meli- 
ta (Norcross) Richardson, was born in Franklin, 28th Jul}', 1822. 
After a school season in the Franklin Academy, he completed his 
studies at Oberlin College, Ohio, and was approbated to preach in 
1846, at Kelloggville, O. He was installed March, 1847, over the 



ADDENDA. 183 

Congregational church in Lenox, Ashtabula county, O., and re- 
mained three years. He next went, in 1850, to Jamaica, West 
Indies, as niissionar}' of the American Missionary Association. 
After four 3'ears' service there, he was compelled by his health to 
return. He preached again in Lenox, O., four years longer, and 
thence went for two years to Austinburg, and afterwards preached 
nine years in East Cleveland. In 1870 he removed to Kansas, 
and was settled as pastor of the Pilgrim church in Lawrence, 
where he still is. 

Mr. Richardson married, 30th May, 1845, Miss Eliza W. Allen, 
and has three children. 

Charles Addison Richardson, son of Elisha and Harriet 
(Blake) Richardson and elder brother of Albert D., was born in 
Franklin, 9th October, 1829. He began a preparation for the 
ministry, at HoUiston Academy, but poor health compelled him to 
resign the idea, and he turned to teaching. He attended a course 
of stud}' at the Westfield and Bridgewater normal schools, and 
taught afterwards in Medway, Franklin, Dedham, and other 
towns. In 1854 he became clerk in the bookstore of J. P. Jew- 
ett & Co., and in 185G entered the Congregational ist, of which he 
has since been a proprietor and office editor. 

Mr. Richardson married Mary J. Phipps, of Ashford, Conn., 
and a graduate of the Normal School at Westfield. They have 
had six children, of whom the oldest, Harriet Phipps, is the wife 
of W. F. Ray, as already mentioned. 

Dr. Erastus Richardson was son of Amasa and Lydia (Haven) 
Richardson. He was born in Franklin 3d April, 1794. He went 
to Maine in earl}' life and practiced his profession of medicine in 
that State with success until his death of a fever, August, 1855, 
while residing in Eastport. 

Dr. Richardson married, first, Mary Johnson, of Robbinston, Me. ; 
second, Mary Shumway, of Oxford, Mass., and formerly of Frank- 
lin. He had six children, of whom George Nelson graduated at 
Bowdoin College, 1847, became a Unitarian minister, and died in 
Worcester, 11th September, 1870, aged 43. 

Prof. Henry Bullard Richardson, son of Stephen Wilkes and 
Eliza R. (Bullard) Richardson, was born in Franklin 21st May, 
1844. He fitted for college at Pliilhps' Academy, Andover. and 
graduated at Amherst College, 18G9. After graduation he was 



184 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN, 

appointed instructor in Latin and Greek in the college for five- 
3'ears. In 1<S7G he took charge of the High School in Springfield. 
He went to Europe for stud}- in 1873, and again in 187G. where 
he made philolog}- a specialty in the Leipzig University. On his 
return last summer he was elected to the professorship of Latin 
and German in his Alma Mater, which he entered upon at the 
fall term. 

Professor Richardson married Mar^- E. Lincoln, of Amherst, 
and has two children. 

Rev. William Tyler Richardson, son of Eli M. and Melita 
(Norcross) Richardson, was born in Franklin 24th December. 1820.. 
He prepared for college in the Franklin Acadeni}', under the prin- 
cipalship of M. Blake, A. Bigelow and J. D. Baker, but was pre- 
vented by ill-health from completing a collegiate course. After a 
few 3'ears in business, which recruited his strength, he studied the- 
olog}' with his brother, Rev. A. M. Richardson, then in Lenox, O.. 
He was ordained to the ministr}- at Saj-brook, O. , 5tli August, 1859. 
He has since preached in Gaines, Orleans count}^, X. Y., in Kel- 
loggsville and Thompson, O., and is now in Orwell, O., as pastor 
of a Congregational church. 

Mr. Richardson has been for six years in the service of the 
American Missionary Association at the South among the Freedmen, 
"where," he sa3-s, "scofl!"s, threats and stones were among the 
highest commendations." Three 5^ears he acted as " United States 
Indian Agent and Special Commissioner " in Wisconsin, which he 
describes as ' ' the most desperate struggle of 1113- life — not with 
Indians, to save my own scalp, but with rings and rascals who lived 
to wrong and rob the poor Indian." 

Mr. Richardson married, 20th April, 1842, Ellen M. Gay of 
Franklin, daughter of Oliver and Maria Burton Ga}'. 

Rev. Ebexezer Weeks Robinson, who married Sarah Bacon, 
daughter of Dea. James Adams of Franklin, 21st June, 1838, was 
the son of Rev. Ralph and Anne (Weeks) Robinson, both natives 
of Connecticut. His father was a graduate of Middlebuiy College, 
and preached for half a centur3' in New York State. 

Rev. Ebenezer Weeks Avas born 1st Ma3-, 1812, in Granville, N. 
Y,, fitted for college with Rev, W, R, Weeks, D. D,, of Newark, N. 
J,, and graduated at Hamilton College, N, Y., and at Auburn Theo- 
logical Seminar3'. He preached from 1836 to 1845 in Assonet vill,. 



ADDENDA. 185 

Freetown, a year at Carver, and in 1849 to the Hanover Society in 
Lisbon, Conn. From 1855 to 1864 lie was pastor in Bethany, Conn. 

In March, 1864, he was appointed clerk in the Paymasters' De- 
partment at Washington, where he devoted his extra honrs to Sun- 
da}' and night schools. He also performed chaplain dnt}' at Cliff- 
burne barracks, nntil the arm}' was removed. To such labors Mr. 
Robinson devoted himself until his death at Washington, 8th 
April, 1869. 

Mr. Robinson had seven children. His second son, James A., 
entered the army, became clerk of the Ninth Corps, and was at the 
siege of Vicksburg, but was taken sick and died on his way home 
from the hospital. 

Fraxk Ernest Rockwood, Esq., son of Abijah and Sarah (Peck) 
Rockwood, was born in Franklin 20th December, 1852 ; prepared 
for college at Dean Academ}^ and graduated B. U. 1874, A. M. 1877. 
After a year's study of law in his brother's office, he became teacher 
of mathematics and natural philosophy in the South Jersey- Insti- 
tute at Bridgeton, N. J., where he still is a bachelor, with declared 
purpose of continuance unless defeated. 

Lucius OsBORXE Rockwood, Esq., son of Abijah and Sarah 
(Peck) Rockwood, was born in Franklin 15th January, 1847. Grad- 
uated at Brown University in 1868, and commenced the practice of 
law, 1871, in Providence. He is now in the firm of Lapham & 
Rockwood. 

Mr. Rockwood married, 12th June, 1872, Miss Eliza G. Ham of 
that cit}', and has one child, Thurston Rockwood. 

Dr. Henry Elmore Russegue was born in Franklin, 11th 
August, 1850. He is the son of Alpheus A. and Mary (Walker) 
Russegue. After the usual preparatory studies he took a medical 
course in Homeopath}' at the Boston University, and graduated as 
M. D. in March, 1878. He is now practicing in his profession at 
South Framingham. He is at this date unmarried. 

George L. Sayles, Esq., son of Oren W. and Almira (Ballon) 
Sayles, was born in Franklin, 28th September, 1830. He was 
educated at Saxton's River Seminar}- in Rockingham, Vt., and 
afterwards spent some time in traveling, visiting California, Mex- 
ico, Panama, and both the eastern and western coasts of South 
America. On his return he established himself in the profession 
of law in Providence, R. I., where he now resides unmarried. 



186 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

Herbert L. Sayles and Lycurgus Sayles, as appears by the 
town records, are also sons of Oren W. and Almira (Ballon) Sa^'les, 
and natives of Franklin. The}' are lawyers in Providence, R. I. 
We have failed to secnre responses to further inquiries. 

Dea. William Slocumb was born in Franklin, 5th Februaiy, 
1783, and was the son of William and Jerusha (Richardson) Slo- 
cumb. His family removed to Sutton in 1784, but William not 
long after returned to Franklin, where he joined the church at 17, 
under Dr. Emmons, whose teachings he often affirmed left a strong 
impression upon his character. In 1811 he returned to Sutton, 
where, by his earnest enthusiasm, he became chief in forming 
" The Religious Charitable Society for the County of Worcester," 
whose object was to aid young men in studying for the ministry, 
feeble churches and foreign missions, and which preceded the 
American Education Societ}^ b}" four years.* In 1816, Deacon 
Slocumb removed to Marietta, O., greatly prospered here, and still 
impelled by the same zeal for an educated ministry, he prominentlj' 
aided in the founding of JVIarietta College, and to which he gave 
largel}', especially to its library. In acknowledgment of his gen- 
erous gifts, one of its buildings has been called '• Slocumb Hall." 
He also started in Marietta the first Sunda3-school west of the 
Alleghanies, and he wrote and published an arithmetic, for many 
3'ears the onl}' one used in the then West. He was also a school- 
teacher for years. In 1855, he came to Rochester, N. Y., where 
he was for seventeen 3'ears an elder in St. Peters Presbyterian 
church. He died 9tli May, 1873, aged over 90 — a long and widel}^ 
shining light kindled by Dr. Emmons in the beginning, and a speci- 
men of the many la3^men so enkindled. 

Deacon Slocumb married Selah Cushing of Franklin, but had 
no children. He made Christian students his family and heir. 

GiEORGE W. Smalley' is a son of Franklin, being born here dur- 
ing the pastorate of his father, Rev. Elam Smalle3', although his 
birth is not recorded. After Dr. Smallev's removal to Worcester, 
he began classical studies and graduated, we beheve, at Yale Col- 
lege. From College he turned to journahsm, and became an army 
reporter of the New York Tribune during the rebellion. As an 
instance of his unusual fitness, it is said that his remarkable cool- 

* See Semi-(^entennial Report of American Education Society, page 7. 



ADDENDA. 187 

ness under fire at the battle of Gett^'sburg attracted the notice of 
the General-in-Chief and he emploj-ed him, in the temporary' ab- 
sence of his aids, on a perilous mission, which he executed with 
the utmost sang-froid. After the war Mr. Smalley went to Europe 
as the Tribune's foreign correspondent, and still remains in that 
position. His signature, G. W. S., is regarded as a warrant for 
clearness of facts and soundness of conclusions, and his articles 
form no small part of the value of that widely-circulated news- 
paper. His address is London, but his presence is Europe. 

Mr. Smalley married a daughter (adopted) of Wendell PhiUips 
and has three children. 

Dr. John Waters Texney, a son-in-law of Franklin through his 
wife, was a son of Daniel and Betse}' (Waters) Tenney of Sutton, 
where he was born 25th December, 1802. He graduated at Brown 
Uni^■ersit3" 1823, and studied medicine first with Dr. David Smith 
of Sutton, then with Dr. N. Reno Smith of Baltimore, in which 
cit}' he received his diploma of M. D. He afterwards returned to 
Sutton, where and in Webster he practiced until his death in the 
latter town, April, 1851. 

Dr. Tenney married, 27th October, 1829, Eliza Tilcston, daugh- 
ter of Caleb and Sail}' (Cushing) Fisher. She is still living in 
St. Johnsbur}', Vt. He left two daughters — Catharine Beecher 
and Helen Everett, now wife of David A. Alden — both residing 
in Windsor, Vt. 

Dr. Charles H. Thayer, a son of Nathaniel and Caroline 
(Taft) Thayer, was born in Unionville, Franklin, 24th December, 
1840. After studying in the ordinary public and private schools 
of the town until 14, he went into a store in Providence, R. I., at- 
tending during the time Austin's Academy and the Commercial 
College in that cit}'. In 1858 he returned to Franklin to attend 
the Walpole Academ}-. On his return to Providence, in 1861, he 
began the stud}' of dentistry in the oflflce of Dr. W. H. Helm, but 
at the outbreak of the rebellion, he, with his two fellow students, 
enlisted in the Union arm}'. His experiences in camp and battle- 
field are briefly mentioned in our military chapter. Pie served 
over three years, was in thirty-one engagements, a prisoner in 
Libby prison, and rose to the rank of Captain. 

After the war Captain Thayer was appointed Special Agent of 
the United States Treasury, and located at Memphis to look after 



188 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

confiscated rebel property. But becoming sick in his traA-els, he 
resigned and came to Baltimore to complete his studies. He grad- 
uated from the Baltimore Dental College in the spring of 1856, and 
not long after opened an office in Mattoon, 111. In September, 
1869, he removed to Chicago, where he is now practicing his pro- 
fession. 

Dr. Thayer married at Chicago, 12th July, 1871, Juliette Marga- 
ret Reed of Stykersville, Wyoming count}', N. Y., and has one 
daughter, born 6th August, 1877. 

Rev. William Makepeace Thayer is the son of Major Davis 
and Betse}' (Makepeace) Thayer. He was born 23d February, 
1820, fitted for college at the Franklin Academ}', and graduated 
at Brown University 1843 ; studied theology with Rev. Jacob Ide, 
D. D., of Medway, and was approbated b}^ the Mendon Associa- 
tion 16th October, 1844. He taught school in Attleboro, Frank- 
lin and South Braintree. He preached nearly- two 3'ears in Edgar- 
town, M. v., where he declined to settle, and was finallj^ installed 
over the church in Ashland 20th June, 1849. In 1857 he was 
compelled b}' a throat disease to resign his charge and leave the 
pulpit altogether for a season. But able still for student work he 
was engaged as editor of the Home MontJihj and llother's Assis- 
tant from 1857 to 1862, when he felt sufflcienth' recovered to ac- 
cept the Secretaryship of the Massachusetts Temperance Alliance, 
and has held it until the present 3'ear, 1878. In this office he vis- 
ited and addressed large audiences in almost eveiT town in the 
Commonwealth, and many out of the State. 

While in Ashland Mr. Tha5'er represented the town in 1856 in 
the Legislature, also the town of Franklin in 1863. Mr. Thaj-er 
has also published several volumes, the best known of which are 
"Life at the Fireside," " The Bobbin Boy," " The Printer Boy," 
"The Pioneer Bo}^" "The Poor Boy and Merchant Prince," 
"Youth's History of the Rebellion," 4 vols. More than 200,000 
copies of these have been sold. 

Mr. Tha^-er married Miss Rebecca Richards of Dover, and has 
had five children, two of whoiu are living. Eugene is married and 
lives in Denver. Addison is at present at home. He resides in 
Franklin and is engaged in authorship, having published a new 
work since our Centennial. 

Rev. Edwin Thompson, a two-fold son-in-law of Franklin, was 



ADDENDA. 189 

son of William D. Thompson, a native of Marbleliead, and his 
wife Eunice Breed T., of L3'nn. He was born in L3Min, 23d July, 
1809. His parents were Friends, and he was educated in the 
Quaker School of his natiA^e town, and became afterwards, like all 
Lynnites, a shoemaker. He was also for twelve years carrier of 
the first L^'nn newspaper. In 1837, at the suggestion of Wendell 
Phillips, he became agent for Essex count}' of the anti-slavery 
cause. In 1841 he was settled as pastor of the Universalist So- 
ciety in South Dedham — now Norwood. But his deep interest 
in temperance as well as anti-slavery led him to resign his charge 
after three ^-ears and devote himself wholly to these more conge- 
nial causes. From that time he has become better known through- 
out the State as a temperance advocate than almost an}- other 
man. 

In 1842 Mr. Thompson married Roxa M., widow of Joseph 
Morse, of East Walpole. She died in 1848, and he married Lou- 
isa Jane, daughter of Maxcy and Persis Fisher, of Franklin, with 
whom he lived twent^'-two j-ears, and had one child, a son. After 
her death, in 1871, he married her sister, Susan M. Fisher, also of 
Franklin and the widow of Dea. Levi I. Morse, of Frankhn, with 
whom he still lives in Norwood. 

Rev. JosEPHus Wheaton, another son-in-law of Franklin, was 
born in Rehoboth, 16th March, 1788, and was the son of Capt. 
Joseph and Sarah S. Wheaton. He graduated B. U., 1812, was 
tutor for two 3'ears following, studying theolog}* meanwhile under 
Rev. Otis Thompson, of Rehoboth. He was settled in Hollistou, 
6th December, 1815, but died of consumption 4th February, 1825. 
at the early age of 37. 

Mr. Wheaton married Mary Ide, born in Franklin, 1st October, 
1790, and only daughter of Daniel and Sarah Ide. Her father 
■died in her childhood, and her mother afterwards married Peter 
Hunt, Esq., of Seekonk, where Mar}' was brought up and met 
with Mr. Wheaton. But her wedded life lasted only from Janu- 
ary, 1816, to 28th July, 1817, when she died of consumption, leaA'- 
ing a son of four months. Mr. Wheaton's second wife, Abb}' 
Fales, became afterwards the wife of Dea. Benjamin Shepard. of 
Wrentham. 

Abijah Whiting, Esq., youngest son of Jonathan and Eleonai 
(Thurston) Whiting, was born in Franklin, April, 1768. He 



190 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

graduated at Brown University, 1790, and settled in the profession 
of law in Salem, X. J., where he was rapidly gaining a distinc- 
tion when he was arrested in his career by death, in October, 1799. 

Nathan Whiting. Esq., was born in Frankhn, April, 1774, 
and was the son of Asa and Elizabeth (Fisher) Whiting. He 
also graduated at Brown University in 1796, in the class with 
Judge Asa Aldis and Hon. Trisstam Burgess. He studied law 
and opened an office in East Greenwich, R. I. Of his further his- 
tor}' we have been unable to learn. 

Rev. Samuel AVhiting was among the earliest graduates of this 
town. He was a son of Joseph and Maiy Whiting, one of the first 
settlers of the precinct. He was born in March, 1750, graduated 
at Harvard in 1769, and A. M, at Yale, 1772. Entering the minis- 
try he traveled into the wilds of Vermont, and was settled in Rock- 
ingham 27th October, 1773, when the town contained less than 
three hundred inhabitants, on a few clearings along the banks of 
the Connecticut, with salmon and shad fisheries at Bellows Falls. 
Here Mr. Whiting established and continued preaching until 1809, 
when he resigned in discouragement and was dismissed May 18th, 
the church being almost extinct. He lived but few 3'ears longer, 
d^ing 16th May, 1819, in his 70th year. He is described as aveiy 
faithful and conscientious preacher and man, but the poverty of a 
new and hardly broken territory was against him. 

Rev. Thurston Whiting, son of Jonathan and Eleonai (Thurs- 
ton) Whiting, and brother of Abij ah, already mentioned, was born 
in Franklin, June, 1753. He is not known to have graduated at 
any classical college, but he entered the ministiy and was settled 
in Newcastle, Me., Jul}', 1876, a church being organized the 
same day. He remanied here until January, 1782, being followed 
by the well known Rev. Kiah Bailey, the predecessor of the still 
better known Father Sewall. Of Mr. Whiting's further work and 
life, our inquiries have failed to bring an3'thing to light. 

Hon. Marshall Pinckney AVilder. Franklin ma}', for a twice- 
repeated reason, claim this distinguished gentleman among her 
children, and he has manifested the interest of a son in the town's 
prosperit3\ But biographical sketches of him are soman}' and ac- 
cessible that we need give only the briefest notice. The fine 
engraving opposite speaks for him. 

Mr. Wilder was born 22d September, 1798, in Rindge, N. H., 



ADDENDA. 191 

and is the eldest son of Samuel Locke and Anna (Sherwin) Wil- 
der. Young Wilder, having the alternative between a college, a 
farm, and a mercantile life, chose the farm, and on it acquired 
the physical energy which bears his 80 j'ears now so bravely. 
From the farm he went into his father's store, and at 21 was 
taken into partnership, and was also appointed postmaster. Hav- 
ing a militar}' taste he organized a Light Infantry- Company 
in his native town, and at 26 he became Colonel. In 1857 he 
commanded the Ancient and Honorable Artiller}' Compatij- of 
Boston. In Februar}-, 1825, he removed to Boston and opened a 
wholesale West India goods store on Union street, under the firm 
of Wilder & Payson, afterwards Wilder & Smith, North Market 
street. He is now senior member of Parker, Wilder & Co., Win- 
throp square, the oldest commission domestic goods house in Bos- 
ton. In all the crises of over fifty years he has never failed to meet 
his payments. A most honorable business record, and deservedly 
successful. 

But Mr. Wilder's original taste for the farm has clung to him, 
and his ample means have enabled him to become a leader in all 
branches of agriculture, and a president of various societies for its 
encouragement, many of which he has originated. In political 
life he has ascended to the Presidencj' of the State Senate, and to 
a Councillorship. He has- also been President of the New England 
Historical Genealogical Societ}' for the past ten years. And he 
has filled all these trusts icell. 

Mr. Wilder has had three wives. He married, 31st December, 
1820, Tryphosa, daughter of Stephen Jewett of Rindge. She 
died on a visit home, 31st July, 1831, leaving four children. Of 
his second and third wives we beg leave to insert from his own 
repl}" to our inquiries : — 

The relations which have existed between your town and mj'self 
were brought about by my marriages with the family of Capt. 
David Baker, from which I have been blessed with two loving 
wives. 

Abigail Baker was married to Marshall Pinckne}' Wilder 20th 
August, 1833. She was a lady of intelligence, culture, and piet}', 
eminenth- fitted to make a farnil}' happy. She became the mother 
of six children, three of whom — Abbie Tr3-phosa. Sarah Jane, 
and Samuel Locke are now dead. Three still live — WilUam Henry, 
Jemima Richardson, and Grace Sherwin. Mrs. Wilder died of 
consumption at Aiken, S. C, 4th April, 1854. 



192 HISTOEY OP FRANKLIN. 

Julia Baker, my third wife, was married to me 8tla September. 
1855, and here I must be permitted to record m}' appreciation of 
her estimable character as a lad_y of culture and piet}', admirably 
qualified both as a wife and a mother to preside over and grace 
our family circle. She has two sons — Edward Baker and Mar- 
shall Pinckne3\ 

Nor can I close this record without an expression of the grati- 
tude and veneration I retain for the memorj' and virtues of the 
good and godl^y parents of these daughters, who have contributed 
so much to the happiness of my life. 

Charles Winslow, who married Harriet Newell Richardson of 
Franklin, and daughter of Eli M. and Melita (Norcross) Richard- 
son, 27tli Ma}', 1839, was a native of Barre. He studied at Hop- 
kins' Academy, Hadlej', and two years in the Franklin Academy. 
He entered Amherst College in 1836, but left during the year for 
Oberlin. Thence he engaged in school teaching in West Virginia 
and other places. He died in 1843, leaving one child. His widow 
married Rev. Edward F. Dickinson of Amherst, and now city 
missionary in Chicago, where she still resides. 

It is not out of place here to add to these 105 brief sketches the 
names of professional gentlemen not elsewhere mentioned who 
have become residents and have added their services to the value 
■of the town. The settled ministers have been given in the 
sketches of the churches. The transient preacher's record is 
written in his work. Of law^-ers, the town has never required a 
permanent resident. But its recent rapid growth and widely 
spreading Inisiness has encouraged George W. Wiggin, Esq., to 
establish his office in town. His quiet affability and studious de- 
votion to the interests of our citizens have won for him a birth- 
right among us. 

Most of the early phj'sicians in town have their proper place in 
the roll of sons already given. To them should be added : — 

Dr. Spencer Pratt, a native of Mansfield, came from Foxboro 
to Frankhn about 1800, married, 23d November, 1801, Elizabeth 
Wood, and settled on the west side of the Common. He was of 
impulsive temperament, but quite a scholar and ver}' helpful to 
youth of studious tastes. In the latter part of his life he removed 
to Woonsocket, R. I., and died there. His two sons are included 
in this chapter. He had one daughter who married and lives in 
Woonsocket. 



ADDENDA. 193 

Dr. Amort Huxtixg came into town abontl820, we think from 
Hopkinton, where his wife belonged. He opened an office, first at 
the house of Joel Daniels, where he endured a long and dangerous 
sickness ; but he afterwards removed to the Center and built and 
occupied the house now Dr. King's. Soon after the settlement of 
Kansas he removed to Manhattan, in that territory, where he lately 
died. 

Dr. JoxATiiAN Maxn followed Dr. E. D. Miller on his removal 
to Dorchester. He was a native of Randolph and a member of 
Amherst College for two years. He remained but a few years 
and removed to Boston. 

Dr. Selim Stanley of Attleboro followed, but his health com- 
pelled him to give up his profession, and not long after his life. 

Dr. L. L. ScHAMMEL next occupied this office, but he also re- 
moved elsewhere after a brief stay. 

Dr. SiiADRACH Atwood came in 184:4. He received the degree 
of jNI. D. at Harvard University in 1830, and, with the exception 
of one or two absences from town, has continued in practice here 
until the present time. 

Dr. T\". B. Nolan began practice here in 1855 and has still a 
wide circle of patrons. 

Dr. George King came in 1857, and, excepting the time of his 
absence as surgeon in the Union army, has been and is busied 
with an extensive practice. 

Dr. McGregor is the latest comer into the company of our 
physicians, and is already reported as snccessful in his profession. 

Homeopathy has been represented by several practitioners, but 
their sta}^ has been short. Dr. J. Blake, from "Wrentham, has 
now an office, and as a physician of several years' experience has 
an increasing patronage. Others and of other schools may have 
practiced in town, but their names haA'e not reached us. 

It is but justice to add that the previous list by no means in- 
cludes all the persons who have added to the respectabihty of the 
town. Such a list would be both long and invidious, and the 
autlior declines the task of selecting amongst the worthy men and 
women, when there have been so many whose memories are still 
green with the mantling of their fruitful Uves. He remembers 
well the impression upon his youthful mind, that no town could 
furnish so large a number of grave and reverend men and " de- 
ls 



194 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

vout women not a few," as gathered in the Franklin Sunda}- con- 
gregation, or of men so logical and spicy in debate as met for 
bnsiness iu its town meetings. The very atmosphere was charged 
with an intellectual sharpness which quickened every intellect and 
compelled reasons for every conclusion. But all this cannot be 
translated in print, much as we would like to preserve it. Some 
genius may reproduce the social life in Franklin of Dr. Emmons' 
day — there are characters enough to equip a large volume — but 
he must be in a closer sympath}' with its spirit than some who 
have attempted it, or his book will be a travesty. 

A view of the private hospital of Dr. N. Miller is given on 
preceding page. It was quite a celebrated institution in the day 
before public hospitals had been founded, and had a very wide 
patronage, It was situated at River End, and was burnt not 
manv months ago. 





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Heii<!iyl>e PrintiHg Cc. 



320 DrvoKshirc Si., Sitst^n. 



',«'i 



] _ 



THE CENTENNIAL DAY 



CELEBRATION, JUNE 12, 1878. 



In the warrant for the annual meeting of the town 5th March, 
1873, was this article : — 

Art. 26. To see if the town will take any action with regard 
to the One Hundredth Anniversary of its Incorporation, and make 
suitable provision for celeljrating the occasion l:)y the choice of a 
committee to take the whole subject into consideration, and report 
their doings at a future town meeting, or act or do anything in 
relation to the subject. 

On this article it was voted : — 

That a committee of five be appointed by the town with full 
powers to consider the whole subject, to prepare a plan for an ap- 
propriate celebration of the anniversary referred to in this article, 
to secure statistics and do whatever they may deem necessary in 
the matter, and report to the town at a future town meeting, and 
that the following-named gentlemen shall constitute said commit- 
tee, viz. : Stephen W. Richardson, Esq., Rev. William M. 
Thayer, Waldo Daniels, AVilliaji Rockwood, Joseph A. 
Woodward. 

Mr. Woodward subsequently resigned and Adin D. SarCxENT 
was chosen in his place. Tlie portraits of these gentlemen are 
given at the opening of this chapter. 

The committee soon after organized by the choice of Waldo 
Daniels as Chairman, and William Rockwood Secretary. They 
also agreed to recommend a public celebration with a historical 
address, a dinner, and other suitable exercises, and requested Rev. 
Mortimer Blake, D. D., of Taunton, a son of Franklin, to prepare 
the address. This report was presented and accepted by the town. 
The committee at another meeting divided the collection of histor- 



196 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

ical statistics among themselves and proceeded in their arduous 
work. 

At the annual town meeting, March 5, 1877, it was " voted, 
that the sum of $500 be granted b}' the town for the expenses 
connected with the centennial celebration and the publication of a 
history of the town, subject to the order of the committee." 

At the annual meeting, March 4, 1878, the following gentlemen 
were added to the Centennial Committee as a general Committee 
of Arrangements for the celebration, viz. : Rev. A. St. John 
Chambre, D. D., Henry M. Greene, James P. Ray. Paul B. 
Clark, and Rev. E. A. Rand. The portraits of this added com- 
mittee are given at the head of this chapter. 

This general committee immediately proceeded to discuss and 
fix upon the final arrangements. The}' elected the following ladies 
to act with them : Mrs. E. E. Baker. Mrs. W. C. Whiting, Mrs. 
A. G. Metcalf, Mrs. A. A. Fletcher, and Mrs. W. H. Fisher, 
to whom was specially committed the gathering and whole charge 
of a museum of antique articles illustrative of the history of the 
town. That they were earnest and successful beyond expectation 
an appended list of their collection will show. Other necessaiy 
sub-committees were appointed ; Capt. Lewis R. Whitaker was 
chosen as Marshal, and enthusiasm in the approaching festival 
rapidl}' spread through the communit}' as the da^' drew near. 

The Centennial Anniversary came literall}' on March 2nd, but 
the usual inclemency of that season and the necessity of an out-of- 
door collation demanded a sunnier time. The committee, therefore, 
selected June 12th as most promising the conditions favorable to 
a successful celebration. The da}' proved, excepting a sudden 
shower in the afternoon, all that could be desired. 

The Franklin Register, whose editor and proprietor, J. M. Stewart, 
had given his columns to a hearty sympathy with the occasion, 
gave a full and graphic description of the exercises, from which we 
extract the following sentences : — 

At 6 o'clock on the morning of the 12th of June, 1878, the 
jubilant bells and the crashing and growling voices of the cannon 
announced that the ceremonies of the day were about to commence. 
The earliest riser looked out upon the streets fairly glorious with 
flags and eveiy species of elegant decoration which could be de- 
vised, or the night hours permitted to be accomplished. Main 
street was almost canopied with the red, white and blue bunting. 



ADDENDA. 197 

stretching across from tree to tree, or from house-top to house-top. 
But far the most glorious of all were the decorations of some of 
the houses and blocks. At a very early hour the streets began to 
show throngs of people, and the arrivals from the cities and neigh- 
boring towns rapidly' swelled the crowds until it was estimated that 
10,000, and perhaps more, people were abroad to celebrate the 
grand occasion. At 10 o'clock came the Governor of the State 
and his staff, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary' of State, and the 
Execu' ive Council, Hon, M, P, Wilder, Manager Clark and other 
officials of the New York and New England Railroad, and other 
distinguished guests, 

PROCESSION. 

A procession was forthwith organized under Marshal Whitaker 
and his Aids, and passed through the principal streets in the fol- 
lowing order : — 

Squadron of cavalry in ancient costume, D. Carson, Captain. 

Chief Marshal Whitaker and Aids. 

Ancient military flfe and drum corps, G. I. Partridge, Leader. 

"Woonsocket Cornet Band. 

J. C. Bay Engine Company, in new uniforms. 

Barouches, with Committee of Ai-rangements, President, Orator, and Chaplain of 

the day. Governor and suite, and invited g'uests. 

Assistant Marshal Peck and Aids. 

"West ]Sredway Mechanics Band. 

Grand Army, Post No. TO. 

Children of the Public Schools, under L. I. Blake, Principal High School. 

Ancient Order of Hibernians, Franklin and Milford branches. 

TRADES PUOCESSION. 

(The leading representatives only are mentioned.) 

E. Trowbridge, two teams of musical merchandise, and two business carriages. 

F. B. Ray, display of felt goods. 

F. W. Smith, carpenters working at benches. 

C. L. Fales & Co., groceries. 

F. A. B. King, carpenters at work. 

J. M. Stewart, compositor setting tn^es for Franklin Register. 

C. F. Carter & Son, dry goods. 

Farmer, Sherman & Co. , cases of straw goods. 

C. L. Stewart, printing press at work. 

F. Rogers, blacksmiths at work with bellows and an\-il. 

J. W. Clark, machine running by belts attached to carriage wheel. 

M. C. Darling, butcher. 

J . M. Whiting, lumber. 

J. O. Cliilson, butcher, two teams. 

J. McFarland, men making harnesses. 

C. B. Craig, boots and shoes. 

G. H. Butterworth, clothing. 

A, McConkey, tailors at work. 

Bier & Harris, clothiers. 

R. B. Stewart, wheelwright. 

G. O. Fuller, furniture. 

Franklin Felting Mills, full display of feltings. 



198 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

E. Waite, large exhibit of felts in contrasted colors. 

City Mills, felt goods. 

H. R. Jenks, g-rocer, two teams. 

Hosie & Mann, coal, two teams. 

M. M. Daniels, milk team. 

A. Clark, ice cart. 

S. Hubbard, carpenter. 

J. P. Ray, ten yokes of oxen from his farm. 

J. Hood, men at the forge and shoeing a horse (begun and finished during the ride) , 

C. Haggerty, harness shop. 

Heaton & Stebbins, men dressing a granite doorstep. 

Mrs. W. Bullock, girls at work on millinery. ♦ 

S. W. Thayer, boots and shoes, and a boot for the biggest foot at the next 
Centennial. 
J. P. & J. G. Ray, four teams with the various goods of their mills, also milk team. 
I. P. Ray, a wagon of old furniture, with an old family, and girl at the spinning- 
wheel. 

In the procession was represented 1778 by two gentlemen and 
two ladies, mounted on side-saddles and pillion, and dressed in 
" 3'e ancient costume." 

This long cavalcade passed in review before the Governor and 
the town's guests in front of the Congregational church, where the 
literary exercises were to be held, and then the latter entered the 
Congregational church. 

The honse was appropriately and tastefully decorated within and 
without with flags, mottoes, and flowers, under the superintend- 
ence of the ladies' committee — Mrs. C. Claflin, Mrs. St. J. 
Chambre, Mrs. "W. Gilmore, and Miss Hattie Daniels. It is need- 
less to say that the house was completely filled. 

ORDER OF EXERCISES. 

After an organ voluntary and the singing of "the Pilgrim 
Fathers" by the choir, under the leadership of Mr. Edwin Trow- 
bridge, and reading the Scriptures and prayer by Rev. W. M. 
Tha^^er, chaplain of the da}-, the following centennial h^'mn b}' 
Rev. Mr. Thayer was sung : — 

Great God ! before wliose throne of power 
We bow in this memorial hour; 
From heights unknown Thy gracious hand 
Sifts years as golden grains of sand. 

The children live — the fathers sleep ; 
The fathers sowed — the children reap ; 
A harvest waves, and sheaves of gold 
We garner from these fields of old. 



ADDENDA. 199 

Not one is here of all the men 
Who " bore the heat and burden" then; 
New scenes inspire; new i^eople meet; 
New faces smile; new voices greet. 

Though century in Thy life is small, 
Great God ! Thy goodness crowns it all ; 
Thy gloi-y in this span appears; 
We praise Thee for a Hundred Teaks. 

The President of the day, Henry M. G-reene, Esq., then wel- 
comed the assembly in the following wor:ls : — 

Friends and Fellow Citizens : B}- acceding to the request 
of the committee having the proceedings of the day in charge, it 
becomes niy pleasant duty to address j'ou with words of welcome. 
Before doing so, please allow me to indulge in a few preliminary 
remarks. 

AVe are assembled at this time to celebrate the one-hundredth 
return of the day when the Great and General Court of Massachu- 
setts (recenth' His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay) 
endowed the West Precinct of "Wrentham with the privileges and 
immunities of a town, and was pleased to bestow upon it the hon- 
ored name of Franklin. It will he remembered that our munici- 
pal birthday occurred during the storm}' days of the Revolution, 
when the struggle for independence hung trembling in the balance. 
Through the abiding faith of our patriotic ancestors in the justness 
of their cause, and their unyielding persistence in its defense, bet- 
ter councils prevailed in the mother countr}', and the United States 
became one of the famil}' of nations. 

During the first century of our corporate life — the century now 
closed — what wonderful changes have occurred in our countiy. 
We have passed through another war with Great Britain, and also 
that other war which was proclaimed to ' ' exist by the act of 
Mexico." We have come out unscathed in our national life from 
the perils of a gigantic rebellion, that has no parallel to its pro- 
portions in the history of the world. In population we have in- 
creased from 3,000,000 to 40,000,000 of people. It is well, too, to 
bear in mind the wonderful and beneficent advance that has been 
made during this period in the interests of civilization and peace ; 
the steamboat of Fulton, without which the might}' current of the 
Mississippi could never have been stemmed, nor a passage made 
between Boston and Liverpool in seven days instead of forty ; the 
railroad, while furnishing unlimited aid to commerce, assures the 
unit}' and permanence of the Republic through all time to come 
by its omnipresent and irrefragable network of steel and iron ; 
the telegraph, annihilating both time and distance, furnishing the 
news of yesterday in advance to the mftrning papers from the 



200 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

uttermost parts of the earth ; the telephone, now in the infanc}' of 
its invention, in its perfection it may surpass the telegraph ; the 
phonograph, registering and preserving the spoken words, with all 
their infinite variety of tone and expression, to reproduce them at 
will at any time in the future — a hundred or even a thousand years 
hence. 

But while we recount the wonderful changes which have been so 
beneficial to our nation and the world at large, we do not forget 
the changes that have occurred within our own particular borders. 
There was a time when the Sunday worshipers could be comfort- 
ably seated in one church. Now, within view from the mansion 
of "its late reverend and Christian minister. Dr. Emmons, five 
spires point their way heavenwartl. The noon-house, with its hole 
in the roof for the exit of gas and smoke and its capacious lirick 
hearth in the center for charcoal, has given wa}' for the more com- 
fortable stove or furnace in the church. It was not till the earl}' 
part of the last century that " the deacon's one-horse shay" made 
its appearance. Before that time our grandmothers went to meet- 
ing and to the store and even made more length}- journeys on 
hoi-seback, seated upon pillions behind their husbands. The iron 
plow has fought its way to public favor, in spite of the opposition 
of the farmers of the last generation. The jenny has banished 
our grandmother's spinning-wheels to the garret, where the}' are 
now preserved as the curious relics of a by-gone age. Instead of 
consuming two or more days in going to Boston or Providence, we 
take the railroad to either cit}- in the morning, transact our busi- 
ness, and get home before sunset. 

Fearing that I am wearying your patience and that peradven- 
ture I may have intruded upon the field, if not upon the allotted 
time of tlie orator of the day. I will not detain you longer from the 
intellectual repast which has mainly induced your attendance upon 
this centennial of the incorporation of our goodly town. 

It only remains for me to say that by direction of the Committee 
of Arrangements (and it is with great pleasure that I obey their 
injunction.) I hereby tender to you all — to our honored guest, 
His Excellency Governor Rice, to Lieutenant-Governor Knight, 
and the other members of our State government, now present — 
to you our friends who have come from your distant homes to 
spend with us, we trust, a happy day — to our townsmen and neigh- 
bors all — a cordial and atfectionate welcome to the amenities and 
festivities of the present occasion. 

The original act of the incorporation of the town was then read 
by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Hon. H. B. Pierce, after 
which "ye antient choir" in the gallery as of old sang " Majesty" 
under the lead of Mr. Frank AVare and accompanied only by 
" stringed instruments." 



ADDENDA. 201 

The oration by Rev. Mortimer Blake, D. D., occupied au Iiour 
and twenty minutes. It is printed in full elsewhere. 

At the close of his address the orator read the XLIVth Psalm 
from an original copy of President Dunster's version of the Old 
Bay Psalm book, 1650, and Mr. AVare "pitched the tune" of 
York upon the veritable pitch-pipe used by Dea. John Whiting, 
the first chosen chorister of the church. The people sang three 
verses in unison after the old way, and the choir and organ joined 
with all the parts in the last stanza — 

We, with our ears have heard, O God, 

Our fathers have us told. 
What works Thou wroughtest In their days, 

Ev'n in ye days of old. 

How Thy hand drave ye heathen out, 

Displan ted them Thou hast; 
How Thou ye people did'st atflict, 

And out them Thou did'st cast. 

For by their sword they did not get 

The laud's possession, 
Nor was it their own arm that did 

Work their salvation. 

But Thy right hand. Thine arm also, 

Thy countenance of light ; 
Because that of Thine own good will 

Thou did'st in them delight. 

The singing of ' ' America " and the lienediction by the chaplain 
closed the exercises in the church. 

The procession was again formed of those who held tickets to 
the dinner, and marched to a large pavilion on Emmons' Park, 
or the ancient Common, where plates had been placed for 1,200 
gnests. It was not long before ever}- seat was occupied, and a 
vigorous dental activit}^ prevailed for half an hour. 

It is not possible to report all the good things said at the table. 
The programme of speeches intended could not be fully carried 
out for want of time, even if a sudden shower had not delayed the 
exercises. But judges of wide experience declared that they had 
never heard a richer flow of wit and wisdom. We are again in- 
debted to the indefatigable Mr. Stewart of the Franklin Register 
for such reports as are hei'e given. 



202 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

The President of the da}' welcomed the compam' as follows : — 

Ladies and Gentlemen : The limited time remaining warns 
me that I must be very brief in my introductory remarks. I will 
offer only one thought regarding the day we celebrate. 

Prominent above all others stands the sentiment that this cele- 
bration is in honor of those men who, under Divine guidance, b}' 
labors and sacrifices, laid deep the foundation of all our blessings. 
Let us hope that the record of the century upon which we have 
entered may show as clearly to those who shall participate in the 
centennial celebrations of the future that we are not unworthy' 
descendants of the men we honor to-da5^ 

It is my pleasant privilege to again tender to all in behalf of the 
town and of the Committee of Arrangements, a sincere and heart- 
felt welcome to the remaining festivities of the occasion, and to 
introduce AValdo Daniels, Esq., as Toast-master, who will read 
the first regular toast. 

Mr. Daniels then read : — 

1. The Commomvealth of 3Iassac}n(setts. 

Mr. Green proceeded : — 

Ladies and Gentlemen: Franklin is honored to-day b}' the 
presence of the Governor of.our State, one of a long line of illus- 
trious men who have so ably filled the Executive office, and of 
whom Massachusetts is so justly proud. I am highly honored with 
this opportunity of presenting to you His Excellency, Gov. Alex- 
ander H. Rice. 

Upon the subsidence of the applause. Governor Rice arose, and 
after complimenting in high terms the cordial reception and the 
whole arrangements and exercises of the celebration, proceeded 
substantialU' to sa^' : — 

As I looked out into the faces of the congregation in the church 
this morning, it was about the most interesting spectacle that I 
"have seen. I said to myself, now this is a characteristic New 
England assembly. In the cities we gather of all sorts and con- 
ditions and nationalities, but when I came into your audience this 
morning and looked around, I saw that unmistakable type of gen- 
uine New England citizenship with which I would be willing with- 
out any guarantee to trust the most sacred things. AYe see here 
something of the value of what was done for us by our fathers a 
century or two ago. We cannot look around upon this New 
England civihzation and suppose that it is in any sense or degree 
an accident, or that it is something that has happened or may be 
done over again in a short space of time. 

The civilization of New England to-day is a growth, and a growth 



ADDENDA. 203 

from those principles that were planted when civil society was 
organized here. AYhoever seeks for the secret of what New Eng- 
land is to-da^- must go back to those days which you, men and 
women, and we who haA-e the honor and privilege of being with 
vou to-da}', are celebrating. I saw in A'our village what is the 
natural oiitcome of this civilization. I saw those pleasant homes 
varying in size, but unvarying in the evidences of comfort. I ob- 
served your well-kept streets, your well-painted houses — all sig- 
nificant of the ease and comfort which characterizes an intelligent 
and virtuous community. I saw, also, your school-houses ; I saw 
that noble institution of learning which is an eternal and enduring 
monument of the liberality and foresight of one of 3'our citizens. 

I saw the spires of ^-our churches, showing that you are con- 
vinced of the fact that it is not sufficient to train the intellect alone, 
but that the heart also must be trained, so that the two may go to- 
gether. I congratulate a'Ou on all these pleasing things, \)Ut I beg 
-of you to hold fast to the principles which they all repre sent and 
without which they must fall — without which tlie^' cannot exist. 
I beg to remind 3'ou of what the orator of the day said w hen he 
gave us that rapid and brief glance .over the past, of the changes 
that have taken place in the last hundred 3'ears — not only in in- 
stitutions, but in the state of the arts, of learning, of scientific dis- 
covery, and in the phase of the world. 

Although in many senses these changes are progress, yet let me 
remind you that they render our lives more and more likeh' to be 
absorbed in the common incidents of our daily life, so that we are 
withdrawn from the contemplation of natui'e and of those principles 
which are akin to nature, the influence of which is to elevate our 
manhood, ennoble our natures and make us braver, more aspiring, 
and worthy people. We must, therefore, resist the influences of 
these new-discovered elements of progress. "We must adapt our 
education to them, make it more and more thorough, and our re- 
ligion more and more a thing of practical life. 

You will understand me, of course, that in speaking of religion 
I am not speaking of theolog}' — there is a great, a wide difference 
between them. Men ditter in their theology as widely as the lati- 
tudes of opinion, but men always and everj'where agree in the true 
sjDirit of religion. Whatever warms the heart, whatever teaches 
men and women to love that which is good, that which is pure, that 
which is noble, and of good report — to love their neighbors as 
themselves and, above all, to love and worship God as the first 
duty of life — that is the rehgion which all can adopt, and which, 
when adopted, will elevate the societ}' in which it prevails. 

Therefore, wherever we plant our churches and our school- 
houses, we must remember that they are twin sisters who ought 
never to be separated ; but they are onl^' external symbols of the 
two parts of our nature which must be educated, and educated 



204 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

symmetrically, in order to bring out that type of noble and illus- 
trious manhood which it was the aspiration of our fathers and is 
the mission of 2ncw England to propagate and develop to the end 
of time. 

With renewed thanks for his cordial reception, His Excellenc}' 
closed with the warmest applause. 

2. Did- 3fotJter Toiai — Wrentham. Franklin, her first-born, 
forgets not what she OM'es her parent, and on this anniversary of 
her birth gratefulh' acknowledges her obligation. 

SamuelWarner, Esq., Town Clerk of Wrentham, responded : — 

The little west precinct of Wrentham. which first saw the hght 
141 years ago when Robert Pond and forty-six others petitioned 
the Great and General Court that the}" be set off as a separate 
township ; because they had, as they said, " conflicted with great 
hardships and ditHculties with respect to their attendance on the 
public Avorship of God, by reason of the extraordinary distance of 
their habitations from the meeting-house in Wrentham ;" that 
little precinct of some forty families is to-daj- an enterprising, 
busy, thriving community of'some three thousand people, whose 
first century as a township this 3'ear completes. 

In answer to this petition, the Committee of the General Court 
suggested a parish. The old town readily voted that, with the 
l)Oundaries which, with little change, if any, were adopted forty- 
one years afterward, when the town was incorporated, and which, 
I think, remain the same to-day. That little band of worshipers 
(twenty-six church members) to whom Haven, Barnum and Em- 
mons preached a hundred years ago, and for whom one small 
house sufficed, has been succeeded b}' some five or six societies 
whose elegant houses of worship attest the greater wealth, if not 
the greater piety, of the present day. 

This was then the west precinct or parish in Wrentham. Na- 
thanael Emmons, the famous Dr. Emmons, whom some in this 
assembly have seen and heard, and of whom ever3"bod3' is think- 
ing to-cia}', was, good Mr. Bean says, "to the great joy of the 
inhabitants." ordained, 21st April, 1773, pastor of this west parish 
in Wrentham ; and our old records of Wrentham say that Rev. 
Nathanael Emmons, of Wrentham, was married to Deliverance 
French, of Braintree, in 1775. The long life of that distinguished 
man so linked those davs with these after times as to give his little 
parish perpetual life : and here it is to-day. 

In 1773 it was estimated that there were more people in the 
west parish than in the whole town of Wrentham when that was 
set oft\ The time had come for a renewal of the former petition. 
The unanimous report of a committee of such men as Dea. Thomas 
Man, Capt. Lemuel Kollock and Jabez Fisher that " the inhabi- 
tants of the west precinct in this town be set off as a separate 



ADDENDA. 205 

township by themselves" was adopted, IGth Febniarv, 1778. The 
General Court followed b}' an act of incoriioration, March 2, and 
Franklin began to exist. As the history of our first century was 
also your history, so we have felt the strength of the family tie 
ever since you went out from under our roof and set up for your- 
selves. 

We have lived peaceabh', like good neighbors, having no quar- 
rels about boundaries, nor even any lawsuits about paupers. Let 
us hope it may continue to be so in the centuries to come. 

I feel, sir, that we have a right to boast to-day. We claim 
praise for so bringing up this fair child, of whom so many fine 
things have been said and of whom so man}' more will be said be- 
fore the sun goes down. Yes, sir, the mother town shares in all 
these words of praise and compliment. We claim that the fame 
of Emmons, of the Fishers, the Manns, the Metcalfs, and others, 
is ours as well as yours. The old town gladly bears witness to the 
fidelity of the j'ounger, to those sentiments of patriotism and honor 
which reflect so much credit upon both. What a'ou have done for 
religion, for education, for temperance, for the Union, for many 
benevolent and industrial enterprises, is surely worthy of honorable 
mention here. Especially let us commend that tolerant spirit — 
so different, perhaps, from that which prevailed a hundred years 
ago. 

I will add that the old town has given freely of her substance to 
her children — Franklin, Foxboro and Xorfolk, and has seen them 
all well-to-do in the world, while she herself has some broad acres 
left, and is still fair to look upon. Except our old mother. Ded- 
liam, none can show a better famil}- record. 

3. Our Fathers. We reverence the memory of the departed, 
and we welcome on this occasion the grey-haired sires of Franklin 
with all their early reminiscences. Of them it may be truly said, 
" multitude of years teach wisdom." 

Hon. jM. M. Fisher of Medway, but a son of Franklin, re- 
sponded : — 

INIr. President: According to the State census of 1875, there 
were then living in Franklin 127 men between the ages of (30 and 
92 years. With few exceptions, these are your resident fathers of 
to-da}-. Considering that j'our recent growth has attracted many 
younger men, the proportion of one old man in ele\-en of 3'our pop- 
ulation speaks well for the salubrity of your climate, and the good 
habits of your people. Besides these, there are many non-resident 
fathers whose right hands would sooner forget their cunning than 
they ever forget this Jerusalem of their birth and of their early joy. 

You remember that Daniel Webster, a native of another Frank- 
lin, once said, and without an}' disparagement to his native State, 



206 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

''New Hampshire is a good State to emigrate from." Now, it 
}nust not be inferred, because Horace Mann, a native of our own 
Franklin, and now equally lionored in immortal bronze with " the 
gi'eat expounder " on the grounds of our State Capital, and because 
men of lesser note have emigrated from you, that this detracts any- 
thing from the luster of their native town ; for their distinction 
achieved in other fields ma)' have been the direct result of theii 
birth and earh' training among you. 

Time would fail me to mention even by name all the fathers, 
living and dead, who have now such distinction, either at home 
or abroad, as reflects honor upon the place of their nativity. Some 
of this class going abroad, drawn by love of kindred and early 
associations, have returned to their " native heath," bringing their 
sheaves with them. New York, while it attracted and still retains 
some of 3'our sons, returned others, who, though fathers in age, 
are Greene to-day. At the beginning of the late civil war, 
South Carolina reluctantl.y spared one of her merchant princes to 
return to his old home, and 3'ou find him here loyal and true, with 
brothers upon either side of him, and all now honored as among 
the 3'oung fathers of 3'our town. New Hampshire, though it did 
attract one of ^'our sons to become the founder of their great cit}' 
of spindles, yet nothing could repress his love for the home of his 
youth. So he becomes the founder of your noble academ}', one of 
your churches, and the chief patron of 3'our public library. 

But besides native sons returned to become fathers among 3'ou, 
how man}' sons of others have come to be fathers with them. Do 
I see before me an adopted father prominent in all business enter- 
prises, who b}' taking a single K-ncq)p within your borders, after- 
wards became enamored with 3'our whole town ? After the good 
Joseph had planted corn on the fertile banks of your little Nile, 
did not the whole tribe of brothers, their wives and their little 
ones come down to dwell in this Goshen, to live and to die with 
you, and ever since have not the Rays of light shone brighter all 
around you? Did not one Caleb, coming Nye to this land of 
promise enter in ? Did he not find the grapes of Eschol sweet to 
his taste, and did he not Cleve to the land with all his heart? 

Franklin has, indeed, been hospitable to strangers, and strange 
mont sent you down a modest Steicart and a liussegue, Middle- 
would it be had she not entertained some angels unawares. Ver- 
boro an Atwood and a King, Blackstone a Nolan to heal your 
sick, Bellingham a Freeman to moderate your public meetings, 
Stoneham a Sijvires to manage your schools, and Connecticut a 
young Father Steicart to Register 3'our good deeds and report your 
progress to the outside world. Once, when waiting for more to 
come, behold a Waite came and a whole class of new industries 
sprang up, as if hy magic. Though he must wait patientl}^ to be 



ADDENDA. 207 

ranlved as a father in years, he is kuowu and Felt to be a father in 
3-our largest business industry. 

Among 3'our native sons, while some aspired to distinction in 
cvnl and professional life, others chose to be simply men of straio. 
Of this class a quartette at least have reaped as well as strawed, 
and neither the character nor the paper of your Daniels and Greene, 
your Thayer and Morse need any endorsement from me. Your 
master-builder, after long years of service in his chosen vocation, 
has recently added musical claims to rank as father, perhaps, to 
a large posterity. 

Though man}' of your fathers have " stayed by the stuff," no 
sin of Achan stains the Babylonish garments, the golden wedge 
or the silver shekels which adorn their tents. Among 3'our intel- 
ligent farmers a Richardson makes 3'Our taxes and writes your 
deeds and wills ; a Clark, a Deacon Adams, serving often in af- 
fairs of church and state, and many other farmers in years now 
cultivate their ancestral acres. 

But what shall I sa}' of those elder fathers, of fourscore years 
and more — a Knapp, a Bullard. a Gilmore, a Daniels, a Pond, a 
Holbrook, a Fisher, a Paine, a King and others, the scattering- 
remnant of past generations. The events of the da}', my aged 
friends, have brought ]3ast events before you in quick succession. 
AVhere the beautiful village now stands, adorned with churches 
and stately dwellings, schools, banks, mills, shops, railroad and 
telegraph, you once saw, and I saw, but a dozen houses and fam- 
ilies — with the old church, bleak and barren without, and cheer- 
less and cold within. Together we recall the old noon-houses, 
Avith stone hearth and warm coals ; the hundred horse-sheds flank- 
ing the meeting-house and Common ; the tall Lombard}' poplars, 
with spire-pointed limbs more dead than living. We have heard 
on our farms the bleating of sheep, whose washing and shearing 
were holiday times for the boys. In our houses, though bare of 
carpets and pianos, the buzz of the spinning-wheel and the 
flying-shuttle foretold the new jackets of homespun to protect us 
against the snows of winter. The Bible and catechism, Bunyan 
and Baxter, with a volume from the old Franklin library, supplied 
the family with solid food for the intellectual man. A little post- 
office in the mother-town of AVrentham detained a few letters and 
papers, brought weekly for distribution at the store of Asa and 
Davis Thayer, chiefly on Sunday noons, before the day of Sunday- 
schools. 

Your ears were greeted with sharp and angry controversies be- 
tween Federalists and Republicans about the embargo and the 
gunboat system, the policies of Adams and Jeflerson, the treason 
and trial of Burr, and the War of 1812. 

After alluding to the many home changes and the time when 



208 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

the Ponds and Fishers could have out- voted all the rest, Mr. Fisher 
continued : — 

A prolific emigration has borne man}' of your sons to the town 
I represent (INIedway). Deacons Allen and Blake, and Uncle 
Elias, all of blessed memor}', sleep to-da}'. But we have living a 
Ray, a Fuller, a Daniels — municipal fathers all ; besides Met- 
calfs and Bullards, Ponds and Whites, a Clark, a Boyd, a Wood- 
ward, all fathers, but proud to have been 3'our sons in former days. 

With a tender reference to his own attachments, the speaker 
closed with the sentiment : — 

May the young fathers and mothers of Franklin understand 
their real mission, and resolve that their young children, becoming 
the future fathers of the town, shall excel in all grace and wisdom 
even the best of all the fathers who have gone before them. 

4. Our Sons. May they prove themselves worth}' descendants 
•of a sterling ancestry, emulating the thrift and sturdj' integrity of 
the fathers. 

George A. Adams, Esq., of Attleboro, after a graceful saluta- 
tion to his native town, said : — 

We have good reason to entertain deep gratitude and interest 
in the welfare of this town, for we have had the advantage of her 
schools and educational institutions, and have been surrounded 
by her healthy moral influences. And to-day the officials and 
fathers of the town may congratulate themselves that not a town 
in the State of the same size can show less native criminals than 
the little town of Franklin. 

Mr. President, we can offer no better evidence of the I03'- 
alty of the sons of Franklin than the band of veterans who are 
assem1)led with us to-day. Their heroic deeds and sacrifices are 
within the memory of most of those present. I need not recall 
that wave of patriotism which swept over our country in 18G1. 
The sons of Franklin, under the command of Captain Rockwood, 
joined with the Wrentham Home Guards, and on this very Com- 
mon took their first lessons in the tactics of war. Man}' of these 
very men did noble service on the field of battle in the ranks of 
the old Eighteenth Massachusetts. But all of those gallant sol- 
diers are not here to-day. Man}' lie buried on the fields of ^"ir- 
ginia, where they nobly gave their lives that we in prosperity under 
a solid Union might live. May the memory of the fiillen be made 
especially sacred on this day, and may it never be said in the future 
that Franklin is unmindful of their services. May old Franklin 
continue in her prosperity. May her educational institutions in- 



ADDENDA. 209 

•crease in usefulness. Ma}' the bus}' hum of the factory loom and 
the din of industr}^ resound throughout the place until she as a 
town shall have obtained a foremost rank in the old Commonwealth. 

6. Our Daughters. 

Mrs. H. M. Miller of Providence, formerl}- Miss Harriet M. 
Partridge, replied in earnest language inbehalf of her native town. 
We regret we cannot produce her speech. 

7. The President of the Neio England Historic-Genealogical 
Society. We welcome his presence not only as the official head of 
this association, but as the friend and constant patron of the great 
moral and industrial interests of our land, who in his acquisition of 
treasures has borne from Franklin two of her fairest daughters. 
Verily he should speak on this occasion and give an account of 
himself. 

Hon. Marshal P. Wilder responded : — 

Mr. President : Oh ! j'es, yes, I wish I could speak as I ought 
in response to the kind sentiments with which you have honored 
me. But, sir, I am somewhat in the condition of certain virgins 
who appeared on another festive occasion without much oil in their 
lamps ; and then, sir, the flame of my lamp is alread}' flickering in 
its socket, and will shine but dimly in the presence of so many 
luminaries of learning and eloquence whom I see around me. Still 
I beg to assure you that I am most happy, happy ^ happy to be here 
and to participate in the ceremonies of this interesting celebration. 

I thank 3'ou for your recognition of the society over which I have 
the honor to preside — a society whose mission is to gather up, 
preserve and transmit to future generations all that can be known 
of the history, progress and influence of our beloved New England, 
in which 3'our good town has played so important a part. When 
we reflect upon what our New England has done for our countr}' and 
the world, we should remember with undying affection the homes 
and sacrifices of our fathers, and the benign examples and influences 
that have made us what we are. When we reflect on what the 
good old Commonwealth, thank God ! the accomplished statesman 
and Christian gentleman — our beloved Governor Rice, who honors 
this occasion with his presence — what the}' have done for the dif- 
fusion of knowledge, the spread of the gospel, the extension of hu- 
man freedom, the support of constitutional liberty, and whatever 
tends to the advancement and happiness of the human race. I feel 
deeply the obligation which rests upon us, to preserve and trans- 
mit unimpaired its history to those who are to come after us, and 
I commend, with all my heart, occasions like the present as emi- 
nently adapted to this purpose. Mr. President, w'e live in an age 

14 



210 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

of astonishing activit}' and enterprise — an age when science, art 
and civilization seem to have been roused from the sleep of centu- 
ries, and to have commenced a new era in human advancement. 
In all this progress 3'our good old town of Franklin has furnished 
her full share of distinguished men and noble women — her Em- 
monses, Fishers, Blakes, Thaj-ers, Manns, Millers, Richardsons, 
Deans, Metcalfs, Bacons, Bakers, Rays, Smallej's, Greenes, and 
others of fair fame, which she has sent out as ornaments to soci- 
ety and blessings to our land. 

You have also referred to me in connection with the great rural 
and industrial interests of our land, the importance of which I 
fully realize. 

AVhen I consider the vast extent of our countr}' — embracing 
almost every variety of soil and climate, capable of ])roducing 
almost all the various fruits of the habitable glolje, its rapidly-in- 
creasing population, destined, according to the best estimate, to- 
reach more than a hundred millions of souls, before some who now 
hear me shall be carried to their graves, and that all of these are 
to be fed from our soil, I am conscious of the importance of the 
mission I have assumed. Mr. President, I am very fond of ever}'- 
thing which pertains to rural life and rural improvement. I can- 
not rememl)er the time when I did not love the cultivation of the 
soil. I am very fond of fruits and flowers — those overflowings of 
God's bounty to mankind, and I love to be remembered as one 
who in a long life of labor and of love has done something to im- 
prove and adorn mother earth, something which shall contribute 
to the comfort and happiness of those who are to follow us, some- 
thing that shall live when I have passed away, and pardon me for 
saying that 1 fondly cherish the hope that 1 may be remembered 
in man}' a beautiful tree, many a luscious fruit, many a lovely 
flower when I am sleeping in the dust. Mr. President, there is 
another allusion in your sentiment which touches me more ten- 
derly, and to which I am most happy to respond, and I plead 
guilty to the soft impeachment of having carried off" some of the 
choicest treasures of Franklin, and I cannot refrain from thus 
publicly acknowledging the deep sense of gratitude I owe her for 
the two fair daughters — for to my eyes the}' seemed the fairest of 
the fair — wives who have been the solace and comfort of m}' life, 
and the pride, joy and blessing of my household. If a virtuous 
woman is far above the price of rubies — surel}' I have been 
doubly blest — rich indeed by the inheritance of their loves. 

Mv. President, ladies and gentlemen, I thank 3'ou for the kind 
manner in which you have received my remarks, and I give 3'ou as 
my sentiment on the occasion — tJie toivn of Franklin. Maj' it 
prosper in the future as in the past — rising higher and higher in 
the scale of human attainments, and, like Franklin himself, be the 
almoner of countless blessings to the world. 



ADDENDA. 211 

9. Dr. Emmons' Jlinistry. 

The response from Rev. Jacob Ide, Jr., of Mansfield, and 
grandson of the venerable divine of Franklin, showed that the 
shrewdness and quick wit of the Emmons' stock has not deterio- 
rated at all in its second remove. Not even the calm and clear- 
eyed self-possession of the paternal character could (h) Ide its 
flashings, as the following report of his speech will show : — 

The great difference between the past and the present is made 
strikingl}' apparent by one single fact. Formerl}' we were sup- 
posed to gain our ideas of things b}^ examining complete speci- 
mens ; but now we are furnished with onl^' a small sample. It is 
in accordance with this custom, I suppose, that I am placed on 
exhibition here as a relic of Dr. Emmons' ministry, and am ex- 
pected to represent it bv contrast. 

I had hoped that Edison would have perfected his phonograph 
so that it could have been placed upon Dr. Emmons' tombstone 
and he could have spoken for himself. I confess, sir, that I am 
proud of my grandfather ; but I am afraid, if he were here to-da}-, 
that he would not be willing to reciprocate the compliment. And 
yet it is a good thing to have a great man for A'our grandfather, 
for when you are overcome by a sense of your own littleness, you 
can comfort yourself with the hope of becoming great hereafter 
through the irresistible force of heredity. Dr. Emmons' ministry 
extended over more tlian half a century. Mine has not yet reached 
its first quarter. Who knows, sir, what I may be able to achieve 
if I am permitted to run the ministerial race as long as he did ? 
It is the home-stretch, sir, that tells the stor}'. 

Moreover, I am not a little comforted when I think how few 
there are who would feel like putting on the cocked hat, or ac- 
knowledge themselves big enough to fill out that well-remembered 
suit of small clothes. If we would repi'oduce Dr. Emmons we 
must find a head like his — a battery of thought sending out 
starthng shocks for limp theologians ; a heart like his — all aflame 
with loyalty to truth and right ; a bod}' like his — in subjection to 
the higher impulses of his nature, as if it were indeed a temple of 
the Holy Ghost. 

Dr. Emmons' ministry must certaiul}' be regarded as a success- 
ful ministr}', for he made his people do as he pleased. If that be 
not a successful ministry, I do not know what is. I know of a 
large number of ministers who would like to succeed in that same 
way, and if I thought that putting on a cocked hat and a suit of 
small clothes would make my peoj^le " wheel into line " as his did, 
I would don them at once. But I feel sad to think how much be- 
sides the externals would be lacking in my case. 

Dr. Emmons' ministiy was acknowledged to be an intellectual 



212 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

ministry. The}' who went up to that old church on the Sabbath 
found a nihiister in it who did his own thinking. And he did much 
to make his hearers close and independent thinkers. He made 
them think to some purpose — what the}' were, where they w^ere. 
and where they were going. He sul^jected them to an immense 
pressure on the brain. From that high pulpit he fired the solid 
truth down through their heads into their hearts. He did not 
arrest attention I13' 

" Words of learned length and thundering sound," 

but by pure thoughts in pure, simple Saxon terms. His Sabbath 
sermon was the sensation of the week. Men carried home from 
the sanctuar}' something that was not only worth remembering, 
but something that was not easy to forget. He was a penetrating 
preacher. He had sharp points to his arguments. He was an 
author that had authority. He addressed the understanding and 
confidently appealed to the reason of his hearers, and Franklin 
may well commemorate to-day the educational forces which Dr. 
Emmons originated and projected. 

Dr. Emmons' ministry was also a discriminatincj ministry. He 
brought into sharp outline the ditterence between truth and error. 
He was never guilty* of confounding the finite with the infinite, never 
caught in the absurd experiment of pushing the latter into the 
limits of the former. He was reverently' conscious of the distance 
between the creature and the Creator, and never so far forgot 
himself as to think that he was the Creator and God the creature. 
His theology was a system, not a speculative jumble. His argu- 
ments were like express-trains going from premise to conclusion 
without stopping at any waj'-stations. No one who started with 
him on his trains of reasoning ever found himself furnished with a 
ticket for one place and left at another. 

But Dr. P^mmons' ministry was, best of all, fearless, conscien- 
tious and scriptural. He received the message which came from 
heaven as the best that could be obtained and the onl}' one needed. 
He never thought it an}' part of his dut}' to apologize for the 
divine utterances. He never tried to revise the statutes of the 
Almighty. A " thus saith the Lord" was to him the end of all 
controversy". Whenever he thought it his duty to fire a hot shot 
into the camp of error, he sent it right along without stopping to 
cool it. He made no allowance for shrinkage in such terms as 
eternal and everlasting, but had perfect confidence that the divine 
measurements would hold out under all circumstances. He re- 
joiced in the fact that God rules the universe and considered it the 
noblest attitude of men to bow at once to the declared will of God. 
I am thoroughl}' convinced, sir, that the great secret of his power 
was his fidelity to the truth. He received it humbly and obedi- 



ADDENDA. 213 

ently, and labored with his might to induce others to receive it and 
obe}" it in the same spirit. 

Wlien I see the shding theological scale of modern ministers — 
when I see them slipping from one position to another, uncertain 
where the}' are — now here, now there, oftenest nowhere — I am 
moved to wish them all gathered around the tombstone of Dr. 
Emmons, where, through perfected phonograph placed upon it, 
the}' could listen to the well-remembered tones of the old preacher 
as he should repeat those familiar words of a greater preacher — 
"Make full proof of thy ministry. Meditate upon these things. 
Give thyself wholly to them. Take heed to thyself and to thy 
doctrine — that 3'e may be able to withstand in the evil day, and 
having done all, to stand !" 

10. The Present Ministry of Franklin. 

The lively reply of Rev. E. A. Rand, just sundering his connec- 
tion with the Congregational church as its acting pastor, has also 
to our regret passed into the great company of the unwritten. 

11. Horace Mann: a native of Franklin and first Secretary of 
the Board of Education of Massachusetts. 

Prof. B. Pickman Mann, of Cambridge, youngest son of Hon. 
Horace Mann, responded : — 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : The honor in which 
the memory of my father is held cannot but be gratifying to me. 
If I seek to discover the cause of this honoralile remembrance, I find 
it in the recognition of the work which my father did, and of the 
spirit which animated him in his work. That work had both a ph}'- 
sical and a spiritual side to it. The physical work need never to be 
done again, but the same spirit will ever find an opportunity for its 
exercise. I may be pardoned, then, if I endeavor to describe the 
spirit in which my father worked. 

As a lawyer, he held to the principle that it is never right to 
defend the wrong. Dissenting vehemently from the opinion of 
Lord Brougham, that a law^'er must sacrifice himself, his countiy, 
nay even honor and justice itself, if need be, for the defense of his 
client, he held that an advocate loses his highest power when he 
loses the conscious conviction that he is contending for the truth. 

As a public otHcer he showed a spirit which I cannot better de- 
scribe than b}' quoting two passages from his private journal ; one 
written when appointed Secretaiy of the Board of Education (June 
10th, 1837): " I now stand in a new relation to the world. Hence- 
forth, as long as I hold this otHce, I devote myself to the supremest 
welfare of mankind upon earth." The other, written April 18th, 
1838, " The Legislature have fixed my salary, as Secretaiy of 



214 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

the board, at Si, 500 ; which will probably leave about SoOO for iny 
ordinary expenses and services, after defra^Mng the extraordinary 
expenses. Well, one thing is certain, if I live and have my health, 
I will be revenged on them. I will do them more than $1 ,500 worth 
of good. 

As a citizen he held that no form of government is so bad as a 
republic, if the members are not educated moralh* as well as intel- 
lectuall}'. And as an educator he sought, more than has 3-et been 
recognized generally, to promote that moral education which is now 
so sadly behindhand in our communit}'. 

12. Tlie Public Sclwols of Franklin. 

Rev. S. W. Squires, of the School Committee, gave an enthusi- 
astic appeal for popular education, which we cannot produce. 

13. Dr. Olicer Dean and Higher Education. 

Rev. Dr. Chambre, pastor of Grace church, and President of 
the Trustees of the Dean Academy, was most appropriately called 
upon to respond. After a brief acknowledgment of his interest 
in the occasion, Dr. Chambre proceeded : — 

Dr. Dean was born in Franklin in 1783. This was only five 
j-ears after the incorporation of the town, whose completed hun- 
dred 3'ears of legal existence we celebrate to-da}'. His childhood, 
and youth, and earl}' manhood, were thus spent amid the toils and 
roughness of a new country and sparse population. To this, in a 
large measure, mq attribute the ruggedness of character for which 
he was so noticeable, his straightforward frankness and direct 
honesty of speech and purpose. Then, his early life was spent 
under the ministry of Dr. Emmons — that Nestor of the pulpit of 
New England in other days. Here again we detect causes which 
must have operated powerfullv in developing the strength of will 
and noble integrity which always characterized Dr. Dean. Al- 
though never, at least from a very youthful period, fully sympa- 
thising with Dr. Emmons theologically, and at length asserting his 
doctrinal disagreement bj- word and action, Dr. Dean cherished 
the memory- of Dr. Emmons, and spoke in the most atfeetionate 
and respectful terms of his life and labors to the last. 

In the providence of God, Dr. Dean was able to practice his pro- 
fession only eight years. He was compelled to relinquish it then, 
owing to shattered health, so shattered that his friends despaired 
of his life. But he lived to the ripe old age of 88. He was not 
an idler. Appointed successively to the superintendency of the 
Medway cotton factorv, and the Amoskeag Manufacturing Com- 
pany, he became at last extensively identified with manufacturing 
interests, and accumulated a large fortune. This he devoted in 



ADDENDA. 215 

_great part to the promotion of what was nearest to his heart, the 
xeUgion of Jesus Christ and the education of youth. He was sub- 
stantially the founder and principal support of the Universalist 
parish of this town. His gifts to that parish reach nearU- SCO, 000. 
To him the parish is almost wholly indel)ted for its present mag- 
nificent church. The noble and costly building which bears his 
honored name, " Dean Acaden\v," is nearh^ altogether the outflow 
•of his wise beneficence. To that institution, from first to last, he 
devoted between $200,000 and $300,000, that it might be well es- 
tablished, and be a perpetuall}' increasing blessing to the 3'outh of 
this country. He deeply felt that education must be as thorough 
and complete as possible, if the integrity and glorj- of a republic 
should be maintained. He recognized that institutions of a higher 
grade were indispensable to the highest interests and usefulness of 
our public school system. This, unquestionably, is true. The 
public schools of this town are stronger and better because Dean 
Academy is here ; just as, all over this broad land, the public 
schools, and all subordinate schools, are better and stronger be- 
cause of the influence exerted upon them b}' the colleges and uni- 
versities. 

Dr. Dean did not, however, confine himself to the church here, 
or to Dean Academy. He gave about $100,000 to Tufts College. 
He gave generously to the public library of this town, and to that 
of Medway. He gave largely and wiseh'in various directions, and 
did not neglect the relatives who had claims on his heart and purse. 

Not to delay, Mr. President, I think that, perhaps, sufficient 
has been said to rank Dr. Dean as a pulilic benefactor, and to en- 
title his name to go down the history of Franklin side by side with 
the man ^^ou all delight to honor, who was also his friend and con- 
temporary. Dr. Dean's was a strong, noble, honest and withal a 
genial and loving character. Too near, it maj- be, to be full}' 
appreciated now, I do not doubt that as the 3'ears pass he will 
be more and more recognized and revered as one of the sons of 
Franklin, of whom she will be forever proudest. 

14. FranMin's Educated and Professional 3fen. 

Rev. Albert M. Richardson, who had traveled from Lawrence, 
Kansas, on purpose to attend the centennial of his native town, 
most properh' stood forth as the representative of this large class of 
our Alumni, and he did his part well. We are able to give his 
speech entire : — 

Mr. President : I can hardl}- understand why one of the least 
of all the honored class referred to in this sentiment should have 
been selected to respond, unless it is to be accounted for on the 
principle that " distance lends enchantment to the view." Having 



216 HISTOEY OF FRANKLIN. 

traveled over fifteen liundred miles, and traversed twelve States,, 
that I might be present on this memorable occasion, I snppose the 
committee felt that they must take some notice of Western pluck 
and perseverance. At an}- rate I am here, and I am glad to be 
here. You have been pleased, sir, to refer to Kansas as "the 
garden of the West." Why, sir, it is entirely too large for gar- 
dening purposes. It would take in all New England, and leave a 
broad margin for raising garden sauce outside. As a specimen of 
Kansas gardening, I have seen a field of wheat containing 2,800 
acres. I met a gentleman last week on the cars, from the Solo- 
mon Valley, who told me he had just visited a field there which 
contained 3,600 acres, all ready for the reapers. That field, at a 
low^ estimate, will yield 75,000 bushels. A nice garden that, sir! 
I doubt whether Eden itself could boast of a bigger crop. Ac- 
cording to the report of the connnissiouer of agriculture, Kansas- 
has this year 1,522,787 acres in wheat, which will yield in the 
neighborhood of thirty million bushels. Her fields of maize are 
counted by the square mile ; her fruit crop last j'ear was valued at. 
nearl}' three million dollars. 

So much for our garden. Allow me to add that 60,000 people 
have come into Kansas within the last four months, to help us cul- 
tivate it, and the}' have taken possession of over one million acres- 
of land. They came from the Eastern, Middle and AVestern 
States, and from over the sea. Kansas is no longer "bleeding, 
droughty, famine-smitten and locust-eaten." She is the Canaan 
of the West — the Land of Promise, whither the tribes go up to- 
possess her. Kansas is planted with New England seed corn, and 
very prolific has it proved in that virgin soil. It has brought forth 
fruit an hundred fold. 

The first settlers of that State were from old Massachusetts — 
God bless her ! The same principles that brought the Pilgrims to 
Plj-mouth in the Mayflower, sent their descendants to Kansas in 
1853 to establish civil and religious freedom. 

The historic city of Lawrence — baptized in fire and blood — 
with its 10.000 inhabitants, its churches, schools and State Uni- 
versit}' — beautiful for situation — bears the honored name of 
Amos A. Lawrence, while its principal street is named Massachu- 
setts. Kansas, sir, is thoroughly impregnated with New England 
principles and ideas, and (I ought to add) she has some ideas of 
her own besides. She has had representatives from Franklin, like 
nearly ever}' other place of importance, almost from the first. The 
Leonards were there at an early day. Also Dr. Amory Hunting, 
whose family still resides there. Luther Dean followed, and others 
whom I have not time to name. Indeed, sir, when I travel in the 
West, I meet the sons and daughters of Franklin pressing west- 
ward, in obedience to Horace Greeley's memorable injunction^ 



ADDENDA. 21 T 

And I have met so many abroad tliat I felt it my duty to come 
back, on this Centennial 3'ear, and see if there was anybody left 
behind. And I assure you, sir, I am surprised to see what a 
crowd you can muster, still, of genuine natives ; you have verified 
the Scripture st tement, "There is that scattereth, and 3"et in- 
creaseth." The more you send abroad, the faster you seem to 
multiply at home — pro\ang that the remark, attributed to Daniel 
Webster, respecting New Hampshire is equally applicable to cen- 
tury old Franklin, viz. : It is a good place to raise men! It is, 
perhaps, hardly in good taste for me to speak in this presence of 
the quality of this product of my native soil. I will say this much, 
however — I doubt whether any town of its size in this Common- 
wealth can show a better record of intelligent, educated and useful 
men (and women, too,) than Franklin. More than a score have 
entered the Christian ministry since my recollection, and are prov- 
ing themselves workmen that need not be ashamed of their work. 
Several have been missionaries in our own and in foreign lands. 
The medical and legal professions, too, have been largely and well 
represented by her sons. The intellectual })abulum dealt out in 
Franklin pulpit from the da3's of Dr. Emmons until now has been 
of the most solid and substantial character, and in those early 
times it was largely' reinforced, stimulated and given a practical 
direction by the efficient training received at the old Acadeni}', of 
which my honored friend and teacher — the orator of the day — 
Rev. Dr. Blake, was the first preceptor. A goodly compau}^ of 
3'oung men owed their entrance upon, and success in a professional 
life, to instructions received within those hallowed walls from the 
lips of Dr. Blake and his successors. 

Allow me, in closing these rambling remarks, to add that Dr. 
Franklin builded better than he knew, when, in repl}' to the sug- 
gestion of a friend, that a bell for the church might be an accept- 
able present, he replied that "If the good people of Franklin were 
the sort of folk he took them to be, they tvere more fond of sense 
than sound," and sent them booJcs instead of a bell. That library 
was kept, in my boA'hood, in my father's house, and to its perusal 
I was indebted for a taste for reading and a thirst for knowledge. 
But, sir, while books are better than bells, the}' also make more 
noise in the world. Brains are sure to be heard from ; and Frank- 
lin has a son of whose authorship she may well be proud, but of 
whom it does not become me to speak in this presence. His books 
for the 3'oung are read on both sides of the sea. In short, sir, if 
the next centur}- does as well as the past, Franklin will be "no 
mean cit3'." Her educated and professional men and women will 
be among the brightest lights in the firmament of literature, and 
her second centennial will probabl3' usher in the millennium. So 
mote it be. 



218 • HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

15. Our Next Centennial. 

Rev. "VV. M. Thayer replied with the following original 

CENTKNXIAL DREAM. 

I dreamed — and yet not all a dream 

(For dreams are airy things, 
When Reason folds its restless powers, 

And Fancy spreads her wings,) 
That for a hundred years I slept, 

A nap of wondrous date, 
And woke amid the clang of bells 

In nineteen seventy-eight. 

Tlie same old sun in grandeur bore 

The flaming torch on high; 
The same fair earth from flowery shrine 

Bore incense to the sky. 
Sweet Venus with the pretty maids 

Was brilliant as of old ; 
The same still night upon her breast 

Wore studs of burnished gold. 

All else how changed! Strange mystic sight 

That met my wandering view ! 
Was this illusion's fatal cheat ? 

All things so strangely new ! 
Amazed I stood ! spell-bound I looked 

And viewed the picture o'er! 
And looked again ! Could this be true ? 

And wondered more and more. 

Is this the town where I was born ? 

And now a city fair! 
Three miles in length, and fifty bells 

All ringing in the air. 
What Midas-touch hath wrought this change ? 

AVhat means this fairy view ? 
Ye gods that love mysterious things. 

Come, tell me, is this true ? 

Fleet coursers o'er the pavements flew; 

The horse-cars came and went ; 
A mighty crowd surged to and fro 

On joyous mission bent; 
And flags with groups of sixty stars 

Waved from the spires that rose ; 
And cannon pealed two hundred guns, 

From day-dawn to its close. 



ADDENDA. 219 



The City Hall on yonder height 

Stood grandly in that hour; 
Five thousand souls could sit and list 

Beneath its lofty tower. 
I bent my steps to view it o'er 

AVith gems of art replete, 
And found myself bewildered quite 

And lost on Alpine street. 

In time I reached the City Hall, 

Of structures seen the crown; 
I found my great-great-great-grandson 

Was mayor of the town; 
His aldermen around him stood 

Dressed in official rig; 
The mayor was a little man, 

The aldei'men were big. 

Within the spacious hall select, 

Arrayed by ladies fair, 
A museum of ancient things 

Drew crowds of people there. 
A mass of relics, rare and old, 

Around, above, below ; 
They said that all of these were used 

A hundred years ago. 

The first that caught my startled gaze. 

Most curious relic yet! 
Just as it is for all the world, 

Our dear old town-house set; 
And men were making fun of things 

That women wore so queer. 
I saw the ladies laughing o'er. 

The hat I use this year. 

I could not tell the reason why 

They scanned it o'er and o'er, 
For queerest of all things to me, 

Were what the women wore. 
Such hats upon their dainty heads, 

Enough to fright a beau! 
And yet they said " that hat was worn 

A hundred years ago! " 

Just then the city bells rang out; 

Some fifty bells or more ; 
The band struck up Centennial march 

Amid the cannon's roar; 



220 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

The setting sun threw back his joy- 
In every golden beam; 

The grandeur awed my soul ; I woke 
And lo! it was a dream. 

16. Franklin'' s earUest manufactures. 

The response of Davis Tha^-er, one of the leading manufac- 
turers of the town, and representing the'oldest straw house in the 
State, will be found substantially in^the account of the industries 
of the town alreadj- given. 

17. The Press. 

J. M. Stewart of the Franklin Register replied briefly, as the 
time was short : — 

Mr. President : You allow me eight minutes in which to tell 
what I know about the Press. Ample time, sir ; although I must 
resort to one of the methods of my trade and "boil down" my 
paragraphs. 

The editorial field is as extensive as the world we live upon. 
Some few editors have attempted to extend its boundaries, so as 
to embrace other worlds, but I have not heard that they have met 
with much success, except when dealing with facts palpable, or 
the positive discoveries of science. As a rule, however, your 
hard-headed, trained editor minds his own business, and is not 
much given to abstruse disquisitions, w'hich may make men wonder 
but are not apt to enlighten anybody. No man is quicker than he 
to catch a thing that has a tail to it ; and he is very careful to 
avoid those which are all head and no tail, for he believes in bal- 
ancing things b}' natural rules ; although — such is the perversity 
of readers — he sometimes finds he has taken a bull by the horns, 
and the danger is about evenly balanced between letting go or 
holding on. 

Sir, if these figures of rhetoric seem unseemly' at this time, and 
in this presence, please read m3' meaning " between the lines." 
There you will find the pith of the whole matter — the " sugar in 
the gourd," which is valuable in proportion to the difficulty with 
which it is gathered. I could, were I so disposed, make a spread 
eagle of my theme, and soar awa}" into the emp^-rean, and prob- 
ably amaze some one here ; I would certainly astonish mvself, for 
I am not used to that sort of thing. If I am to be natural I must 
be blunt — hit hard and quick, and have done with it. Two things 
also warn me to mind m^' own particular business, now, and keep 
down from a height that might be perilous ; the flight of my little 
time, and the presence above this vast assemblage — which I seem 
to realize — of that grand old man, whose name our town bears, 
Franklin. While serenely smiling upon these festivities, which I 



ADDENDA. ^""^ 



doubt not he enjoys with all the -^^^\-' Z.^l^T^^^^^Tlt 
hP S1VS to me — Few words are best; don t piose , suck to uie 
^oint and stop when you are through ! There sir, in aphoristic 
rev iv he has o7ven you the whole duty of an editor, and, by im- 
SicatL^^Tride for the editor's particular friends, the correspond- 
e tf Fo?, s r, Franklin once was an editor - a man of soitows. 
It is'the pr de of our craft to say tliis, although he fortunately be- 
came as is natural to the craft, a philosopher but m his early 
veils' and before he took to his bed to die. Happy were it for 
L world if all editors might be FrankUns ; most happy now 
while such tremendous social and political upheavals are going on 
iT ov fhP Pnrth That old gray goose-quill, that never penned 
fuSL s:X e, .' uld make a\afe rudir to steer our natWs 
vessel throuoh the present troubled waters, where an ounce of 
0^001 sense s worth a ton of editorial folly and haphazard advice 
?nd c^ect;^ Think, sir, of Franklin writing his views upon 

nSutSS^^lis is dangerous ground. Y^|^- -- 
me that my time is up. In closing I give you The Memor. op 
rR.NKLiN,'' and let each one who hears me round oif foi himself 
the toast with a sentiment of his own choosing. 

The skies, which had once during the services vociferously 
showered down their benedictions, were now placidly calm and 
clear, and the audience reluctantly lifted the closing hymn by the 
poet of the day. 

Come, ere we part for other scenes, 

The wreath of friendship twine ; 
We'll pledge each other here to-day 

111 songs of " Auld Lang Syne." 
The fathers ne'er shall be forgot; 

Their deeds heroic shine ; 
Their virtues like the sun illume 

The days of "Auld Lang Syne." 

Their children meet and part again 

'Mid blessings all divine; 
Perhaps to meet no more below 

To tell of " Auld Lang Syne." ^ 
Oh! may we meet when time is o'er 

Beneath the Living Vine, 
And sing with those we loved on earth 

In days of " Anld Lang Syne." 

At the close of the sing-ing, and after the benediction, the ser- 
vices were adjourned for one hundred years and the audience 



222 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

slowl}- dwindled in joyous and tearful chattings of the past, as 
they shook pledged hands over the future and parted for the pres- 
ent. It was a royal, blessed day, without break or accident to 
mar its success. 

THE MUSEUM. 

The museum of antiquities, to which allusion has been made, 
was in the capacious chapel in the rear of the Congregational 
church. Nearly a thousand people visited it during the day, and 
it was opened, at a small entrance fee, for two succeeding days. 
The industr}^ and success of the ladies' committee in gathering so 
many articles struck ever}^ one as remarkable. 

A catalogue was carefully made by Mrs. W. C. Whiting, from 
which are selected some of the rarer specimens of "ye olden 
time " for briefest mention : — 

Foremost was the old-time kitchen, arranged by Mrs. A. A. 
Fletcher, with andirons, pot-hooks, trammels and settle complete. 

Bibles and books of all ages, from an illuminated Roman missal 
of 1485, on vellum, a black letter missal bound in wood and vellum, 
clasped, and an Elzevir treatise of 1634, by Rev. Dr. Chambre ; 
a series of manuscript sermons by the Wrentham and Franklin 
pastors, complete from Messenger to Southworth ; a file of alma- 
nacs to 1800. 

Of household utensils were, Mayflower candlesticks, b}' Mrs. 
E. K. Ray ; an hour-glass, 180 years old ; a wooden castor, by 
Mrs. M. Pherson ; a brass milk-pan used b}' British soldiers ia 
Boston, b3' Adin Fisher ; an old brass clock six feet high, b}' H. 
Bemis ; China sets, platters, etc., of unknown antiquity; the 
brass andirons of Dr. Emmons' study, by Mrs. S. Warfield ; tape 
loom of Mar}' Whiting, one of the first settlers of Wrentham ; 
Nathaniel Tha3'er's settle, 123 j^ears old, b}' J. F. Ray ; cradle of 
Dea. Joseph Whiting's family, by Mrs. W. C. Whiting ; Rev. C. 
Barnum's and Rev. Dr. Emmons' study chairs ; a copper kettle 
from Marblehead, 200 years old, by L. Howard ; spinning-wheels, 
and a four-wheeled miniature wagon for the twins of 1824, made 
by John King. 

Of garments, a centurj'-old traveling-bag, by S. Hubbard ; 
buckskin breeches, man}' pairs ; kid slippers, numberless ; Dr. Em- 
mons' tri-cornered hat, and the first Mrs. Emmons' white satin 



ADDENDA. 223 

bridal shoes; infants' caps, slips, etc., including that of the ora- 
tor of the day ; Dr. Nathaniel Miller's wedding vest — pea-green, 
satin embroidered ; Dea. Joseph Whiting's wig and leather-bowed 
spectacles of 1750. 

Of the miscellanies were the pitch-pipe of Austin Metcalf; 
the sword of Capt. Eben. Dean, grandfather of Dr. O. Dean ; 
the gun and accoutrements of James Holbrook, at Saratoga, by 
W. Stanley ; the bell of the first Franklin cow, by Dea. W. C. 
Whiting ; a silver brooch of Dr. Ebenezer Metcalf, 1745, by Ma- 
ria Fisher ; a pillion used by Governor Winthrop's family, by Mrs. 
Adams Daniels ; the noted bear-trap of David Gilmore "on the 
mount ; " a baby's christening-dress of Ruth Clark, and used for 
that service by a Hue of Ruths until to-day ; an ingenious tablet 
of Indian relics, arrows, etc., by W. W. Cowell, of Wrentham. 

Many portraits and silhouettes of Franklin's former worthies 
hung around the walls, and the rooms of the chapel were filled with 
portraits, rarities whose description would fill a large volume. 
None knew the town was so rich in relics of the fathers, and all 
felt they should be sacredly treasured by the town in a fire-proof 
building for the next centennial. 

The centennial day was closed by a vocal concert from singers 
secured from abroad, in aid of the celebration fund. It was 
largely attended, and formed an appropriate finale to the mem- 
orable day. 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES 



EARLIEST FAMILIES IN FRANKLIN. 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 



Tpiese genealogical notices are necessarily brief and imperfect — 
brief for want of space, and imperfect because they have been, 
most of them, gathered from the town records of Wrentham and 
Franklin (to which families sometimes neglected to make re- 
turns). A few, like those of the Adams, Pond and Richardson 
families, have been compiled from pubhshed genealogies, and may 
be considered complete in their Franklin branches. Our research 
has been as extensive as possible in the time in tracing the other 
families. No doubt a longer time and a wider correspondence would 
have given a richer result. But a genealogist knows that years 
must be consumed on one full family register. 

We have only aimed by these few notes to excite an interest in 
our townsmen to trace their family lines for themselves. We have, 
therefore, gone rather backward than forward, that they might find 
some sure starting point among the early settlers of the countr}'. 
But thej^ are brought down within reach of the present, so that 
those disposed can easily attach their own families to their proper 
ancestral line. Space would not allow our coming lower down. 

It were utterly out of the compass of this history to give even 
the briefest genealogical notice of all the present dwellers in Frank- 
lin. We have, therefore, confined our notes to the list of peti- 
tioners for a precinct, as given on page 25. That hst includes 
all the earliest settlers of the town. If any regret that their names 
do not find a place, they must blame their ancestors for not moving 
into the precinct in season. It should be added, however, that the 
names of a few later settlers are inserted in this list who have kindly- 
furnished ancestral portraits or views of their homesteads for the 
illustration of the book. To such, and to all others, we are grate- 
ful for these illustrations, which will form, to some, the chief at- 
traction of the volume. 

In the notices following, the numbers before named refer Ijack 



228 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

to the same number in the famil}' line. The daughters can be 
traced, when married, b}' their husband's surname. 

Lastl}', if the dates disagree with the family- registers in the 
" big ha' bible," please refer the difference to the errors of the 
town records. They have all been personally and carefully copied. 

Any corrections will be gladly accepted, for the correcting of 
the author's own copy and possible future use. 

THE ADAMS FAMILY.* 

1. John Adams, immigrant ancestor, born in 1685 at Credi- 
ton, Devonshire, England. Seized in youth by a press-gang and 
forced to serve as cabin boy on a man-of-war. Escaped at Salem 
and fled to Medfield. Recaptured, he again escaped and hid in 
Wrentham. Afterwards bought and settled on the farm now oc- 
cupied by Dea. Peter Adams. Was a weaver by trade. He mar- 
ried 24th September, 1713, Sarah, daughter of John and Hannah 
Fairbank. She was born 22d March, 1696, in Wrentham, and 
died 13th May, 1754, three days after her husband. Their chil- 
dren were: 2, John, born 18th June, 1715; married Rachel 
Adams. Mary, born 15th March, 1716 ; married Jabes Fisher. 
Sarah, born 15th February, 1718 ; married Matthew Smith. Han- 
nah, born 25th March, 1721 ; married Michael Metcalf. 3, Peter, 
born 2d February, 1722; married Esther AYard. Abigail, born 
14th February, 1725. Ann, born 7th February, 1728. Esther, 
born 8th March, 1732. Elizabeth, born 14th July, 1735 ; married 
Henry Wilson, of Rowe. The last four children probably left 
town. 

2. John, "Ensign," lived at " Nason's Crossing." His farm 
included the present Common. He died 30th May, 1793. His 
wife Rachel, born 1715 ; died 2d April, 1789. Their children 
were: Timothy, born 6th February, 1742; married Jemima 
Thayer, of Mendon. Parents and four children all died young, 
and one stone in the Franklin cemeter}' now covers the whole 
family. 4, Thaddeus, born 13th June, 1745 ; married Rachel 
Lawrence. 5, John, born 1748; married Naomi Pratt. 6, Na- 
thaniel, born 17th August, 1751 ; married first Hannah Fisher, 
second Zebia Collock. 7, William, born 1755 ; married Elizabeth 
Whiting. Rachel, born 11th March, 1758; married Asa Fisher. 

* From a Genealogy compiled by Gardner Adams. 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 229 

3. Peter lived on the homestead ; died 12th March, 1802. His 
wife, Esther, born 17th February, 1732; died 11th November, 
1809. Their children were: Jemima, born 16th March, 1752; 
married Jesse Robbins. Joel, born 21st Jul}', 1753 ; married 
Jemima Robbins. M0II3', died 3'oung. Peter, born 24th Febru- 
ary-, 1758 ; died 27tli September, 1778, in the Revolutionar}' War. 
Eunice, born 24th February, 1760; married Calvin Metcalf and 
went to Winthrop, Me. 8, Ward, born 28th November, 1762; 
married Olivia Daggett. Junia, died young. Esther, born 15th 
Jul}', 1767 ; married Eli Taft, and went to Upton. 9, James, 
born 6th Ma}', 1769 ; married first Sarah Bacon, second Lucy 
Fairbank. Apollus, died young. 10, Nehemiah, born 11th Jan- 
nary, 1773; married Mary Clark; removed to Union, Me. Je- 
mima and Joel also went to Union, Me. 

4. Thaddeus bought and lived on the present town farm; he 
died 28th June, 1827. His wife, Rachel, daughter of Ebenezer 
Lawrence ; born 24th February, 1751 ; died 27th September, 1823. 
Their children : Lucinda, born 5th October, 1771 ; married Joseph 
Gilmore, Abigail, born 12th May, 1773 ; married Abadiah A. 
Thayer, and went to West Wrentham. Thaddeus, born 22d June, 
1775; married Peggy Orcutt, and went to Brewer, Me. Rachel, 
born 25th October, 1777 ; married Seneca Aldrich, and left town. 
Timothy, born 19th March, 1781 ; married Betsey Payson, and 
went to Bucksport, Me. 11, Alpheus, born 22d December, 1785 ; 
married Achsa Partridge. 

5. John, removed to Walpole, N. H., where his youngest child 
was born ; he died in August, 1836. His first wife, Naomi Pratt, 
Medfield ; died 1793; he married second Eunice Monlton, and 
third Elizabeth Stearns ; he died May, 1851 ; he had sixteen chil- 
dren ; three only remained in town, viz. : Sally, born 25th Janu- 
ary, 1772 ; married Jonathan Hawes. Eunice (by second wife) 
born 7th January, 1795; married Fisher Daniels. Lois, born 
26th June, 1797 ; married Jeremiah Claflin. 

6. Nathaniel was in the Revolution, called " Captain," lived 
and kept a store on Davis Thayer's Corner. In 1815 removed to 
Providence, and died in 1834. His wife, Hannah Fisher, died 9th 
April, 1790 ; married, second, Zebia Collock. One child only staid 
in town, Plannah, born 8th April, 1781 ; married Bela Cleveland. 

7. AVilham lived at " Nason's Crossing," was noted as " L'ncle 



230 HISTOEY OF FRANKLIN. 

Bill." He died 28th March, 1828. His wife died in 1833. Chil- 
dren were: Betsey, born 20th August, 1783; married Ichahod 
Dean. Amos, born 15th November, 1785 ; married first Betsey 
Follett, second Mrs. Sally B. Partridge ; removed to Medway. 
William, born 11th March, 1789 ; married Mary Fisher, and re- 
moved to Medway. Whiting, born 22d March, 1793. 

8. Ward, died 25th October, 1792; wife died 1788; had one 
child, Ebenezer Ward, born 23d July, 1787; married Mima, 
daughter of Joel Adams, and removed to Union, Me. 

9. James, deacon and justice of the peace, lived on the home- 
stead. He died IGth April, 1830 ; first wife died 1806 ; second 
wife, Lucy F., born 19th July, 1789 ; died 1st July, 1878. Children 
by first wife : Chloe Fales, born 1st Januar}', 1797 ; married Jo- 
seph A. Metcalf and removed to Winthrop, Me. Thomas Bacon, 
born 16th January, 1799 ; married Elizabeth Adams, of Read- 
field, Me., and removed to Maine. James, Rev., born 21st Octo- 
ber, 1800. (See biographical sketches.) B}' second wife, Sarah 
Bacon, born 27th June, 1809 ; married Rev. E. W. Robinson. 
(See biographical sketches.) 12, Peter, born 3d April, 1811 ; 
manied Clarissa D. Richardson. Luc}' Maria, born 19th March, 
1817; married James Bigelow, of Boylston. 

10. Nehemiah, removed to Union, Me., but previously had 
three children in Franklin. He died 14th December, 1854. His 
wife, of Medfieid, died 14th April, 1821. His only son in town. 
Ward, born 23d November, 1798, married Hannah Blake. He 
died 27th October, 1865. 

11. Alpheus, lived on the home farm till he sold it to the town 
for the poor ; went to Nashua, N. H., in 1836, but returned in 
1846 and died in town, 9th January, 1852. His wife, Achsa, 
daughter of Simon and Achsa (Metcalf) Partridge, born 4th 
March, 1787, died 25th January, 1868. Their children were: 
Albert, born 22d December, 1807 ; married first Marj^ C. Daniels, 
second Sophi'onia Heald, third Susan D. White ; had seven chil- 
dren. Simeon Partridge, born 16th November, 1809 ; married 
Harriet B. Wood. Emerson, born 5th December, 1812 ; mar- 
ried Abigail Blake and removed to Sherboru. Gardner, born 
2d April, 1818 ; married Eunice R. Darhng. Erastus, born 22d 
January, 1821 ; married first Mary G. Powell, second Lucetta A. 
Harvev. Achsa Metcalf, l^orn 2d November, 1824 ; married 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 231 

Merrill E. Carter, and lives in Syracuse, N. Y. Of this family 
onl}' thirteen now reside in town. 

12. Peter, deacon, lives on the ancestral farm, and has chil- 
dren : James Francis, horn 2d January', 1842 ; married Mar}' A., 
daughter of Lucy M. Bigelow. Abb}^ Maria, born 31st January, 
1855. Herbert, born 28th October, 1857. Charles K. was killed 
in Sheridan's campaign, near Winchester, Va., and four children 
died 3'oung. 

The descendants of " Ensign" John and Peter Adams counted 
in 1874, 924, and of John, the immigrant, 1,814 persons ; number 
of marriages, 358. Less than a score now of the Adams familj' 
live in Franklin. 

THE ALLEN FAMILY. 

The first of this name in town was Abijah, a native of Natick, 
who came from Dover just before the incorporation of the town. 
His first child, Samuel, was the first birth after that event. He 
married Abigail Maxcy 17th June, 1777. His children were: 
Samuel, born 15th March, 1778. Mary, born 16th December, 
1779. Abigail and Maxc}', twins; both died young. Marena, 
born 12th May, 1787. Abijah, born 27th May, 1789. Cyrus, 
born 29th May, 1793. Alfred, born 25th September, 1797 ; died 
3d March, 1825. Samuel married .Sarah W. Aldis, and had Aldis, 
born 13th November, 1803. (See biographical sketches.) He 
married, second, Jubetta Metcalf, of Franklin, and removed to 
Med way Vill., where he was chosen deacon of the Congregational 
church, and had other children born there. Cyrus married Sarah 
Bacon 4th October, 1825, and had: Marena, born 10th Septem- 
ber, 1826. George, born 6th April, 1828. Cyrus Milton, born 
6th June, 1831. Thomas Bacon, born 7th October, 1836. 

Another Allen family' in the north part of the town is of a differ- 
ent ancestr}'. 

THE BACON FAMILY. 

The immigrant, according to Savage, was Michael. He came 
from Ireland to Dedham with his wife and four children, Michael, 
Daniel, John and Sarah. He died winter of 1647-8. John 
married Rebeka, and had John. Rebeka, married John Gaj*. 
Daniel, Samuel. 2, Thomas. Mary, married Nathaniel Kings- 
buiy ; and Susanna, married Jonathan Dewing. He died 17th 



232 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

June, 1683. His widow died 27tli October, 1G94. Of this line is 
Rev. Dr. L. Bacon, of New Haven. 

2. Tliomas settled in Wrentham, and his family is recorded 
there. He married Hannah Fales, and had seven children : 3, 
Thomas, born 26th November, 1693. Hannah, born 25th April, 
1697; married Robert Pond. James, born 28th October, 1700. 
Martha, born 8th October, 1703 ; married John Shepard. Jacob, 
born 9th September, 1706. (First preacher in the West precinct.) 
John, born 22d April, 1710. Sarah, died 3'ouug. 

3. Thomas, Jr., married Deborah , and had: Kezia, 

born 7th June, 1725 ; married Robert Blake. 4, Thomas, Deborah, 
Samuel, and Rebecca. 

4. Thomas, 3d, Captain. Performed good service in the Revo- 
lution. He had, b}- his wife L3'dia Pond, ten children. One only 
son, Amos, of whom we know no more. 

The Franklin line of Bacons is traceable no further back than 
Seth. He married Abigail Whiting 3d June, 1762, and had five 
children: Joseph, born 19th June, 1763. Theophilus, died at 17 
years. Sarah, born 13th March, 1768. 3, Thomas, born 16th 
May, 1771. Abigail, born 12th June, 1774. 

2. Joseph married Ruth Heaton 17th Januarj-, 1804. Chosen 
deacon of Franklin church 1st January, 1806, and died 6th Ma}-, 
1843. They had : 4, Joseph Thomas, born 14th February, 1808 ; 
married Mary Ann Metcalf ; and Delia Emmons, born 28th Feb- 
ruary, 1815 ; married Samuel Metcalf, Jr. 

3. Thomas married 26th April, 1796, Ruth Adams, and had 
Sail}', born 23d August, 1797, who married C3'rus Allen. On his 
sudden death, 15th Ma}-, 1799, his widow Ruth married Joseph 
Whiting, 3d. 

4. Joseph T. was deacon of the Franklin church, chosen 15th 
October, 1835. He was gored hj a bull, of which he died in the 
past spring. His wife died soon after. The}' had : Abby Mi- 
randa ; married Dea. E. E. Baker. Thomas Metcalf, George, and 
Ellen. 

THE BAKER FAMILY.* 

1. Richard, immigrant in Dorchester, 1639 ; married Faith, 
daughter of Henr}' Withington, and had at least two sons and six 

* From a Genealogy compiled by Edward Baker, Dorchester, 




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o 

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GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 



233 



daughters; he died 25th October, 1689. His son, 2, John, mar- 
ried'preserved, daughter of Thomas Trott, and had ten children. 
He died 26th August, 1690. His son, 3, Abijah, posthumous, 
born 25th February, 1691 ; married Hannah Jones, and settled in 
Franklin south of Beaver Pond ; he died 31st December, 1761. 
His son, 4, Abijah, born 15th October, 1718 ; married Esther 
Smith; he died 27th September, 1780. His son, 5, Abijah, born 
11th August, 1749 ; married March, 1775, Esther Parker ; she died 
12th May, 1795 ; and he married 17th April, 1796, Phebe Boyden ; 
she died 19th November, 1821 ; he died 19th April, 1824. A 
view of the Baker homestead near the center of the town is in- 
serted ; Dea. E. E. Baker now occupies it. The children of Abi- 
jah and Esther were : Esther, born 25th September, 1779 ; mar- 
ried John Warfield, whose grandson is Rev. F. A. Warfield, pastor 
of the Union church, in Boston. David, born 5th June, 1782. 
Anna, born 5th June, 1786; died immarried 2d May, 1864. 6, 
David, captain ; town clerk ; married, first, Jemima, daughter of 
Elisha and Abigail (Lawrence) Eichardson ; she died 26th July, 
1845 ; married, second, Lucy F. Perry of Hollistou, who died 13th 
August. 1874 ; he died 11th October, 1861. 

Captain Baker was especially well known as a clerk of the town 
for many years. In his day it was the custom to cry all intentions 
of marriage on three public occasions, and his clear voice from his 
pew in the meeting-house at the begiuning of the Sunday after- 
noon service made many a youth and maiden hang their heads as 
it pubhshed aloud their often unsuspected engagements. Many 
who endured this exposure will recognize the famihar face of 
Captain Baker in the portrait following this brief family notice. 
On the election of Davis Thayer, Jr., as town clerk, the imme- 
morial usage was exchanged for the milder form of a posted notice. 
But Captaki Baker was yet better known as an energetic and pub- 
lic-spirited citizen, a faithful father and a decided Chrisrian man. 
Captain Baker had six children: Abijah Richardson. (See 
biographical sketches.) Chariotte, married Rev. Asa Hixon. 
(See biographical sketches.) Abigail, married Hon. M. P. Wilder. 
(See biographical sketches.) Jemima Jane, married Daniel H. 
Forbes of AVestboro ; school-teacher in Charlestown, Mass. David 
Parker, married Lois Angenette Green of Franklin. Juha, mar- 
ried Hon. M. P. Wilder. " (See biographical sketches.) Erastus 



234 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Emmons, " Deacon ; " married Al)by M., danghter of Dea. Joseph 
T. Bacon of Franklin ; his son, David Erastns. (See biographi- 
cal sketches.) 

THE BLAKE FAMILY. 

The branch of this widel3--spread family which settled in Frank- 
lin descended from Robert, although the posterity- of John appears 
in town. Robert is believed to have been an original immigrant, 
as a research of many Acars has not linked him with an}' other 
Blakes in the countr}-. But many facts point to Taunton, England, 
as the habitat of his family, and to a connection with Cromwell's 
famous sea-king. Admiral Robert, and with Sarah, one of the 
earliest settlers of South Carolina. Information is invited by the 
author. 

1. Robert was born 1675. married 7th January-, 1703, Sarah, 
daughter of John and Sarah Guild, of Wrentham. He bought the 
farm on the east side of Blake's Pond (since miscalled Archer's) and 
built his house on the crown of the hill, parts of which entered into 
the present dwelling there. When he cleared the forest, he left 
the old oak now standing by the wa^-side, which " was called the 
old oak," his grandson Philip said, " by the old people when he was 
a boy." He died 4th October. 1735, aged 60. His widow married, 
30th March, 1738, Nathaniel Perry. She died 30th July, 1757. 
They had ten children. 

Bette married Benjamin Hall. Sarah married first Thomas 
Fisher, second James Xewe. 2, Robert, born 22nd December, 
1707. 3. Josiah, born 4th March, 1710. Nathan, born 13th 
March, 1712. Ezra, born 12th May, 1714. Hepzibah, married 
Capt. Benjamin Shepard of Wrentham. Obadiah, born 9th June, 
1719. Esther, married David Jones and removed to Abington. 
Elijah, born 13th October, 1723. The ages of these ten children 
summed up nearh' nine hundred years, three of them attaining to 
a centurj'. 

Nathan, Sarah and Obadiah removed to Keene, N. H. Nathan 
was the first settler there ; spent the first winter alone and built 
the first house in Ashuelot, as then called. He was captured by 
the Indians, April, 1746, and taken to Canada, where he was made 
a chief for his prowess and inventiveness, but was finally exchanged 
and returned to Keene. Obadiah had been a physician in Wrent- 
ham, and became the first doctor in Keene on his settlement there. 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 235 

2. Robert, Captain, married Keziah, daughter of Thomas and 
Deborah Thurston. He died 22d December, 1800, aged 93. She 
died 19th April, 1794. The}' have only two children recorded: 
Keziah, born 29th October, 1743. 4, Robert, born 14th July, 1749. 

3. Josiah, Ensign ; married Martha, daughter of Joseph and 
Martha Cowell. He died 25th February, 1795, aged 85. She 
died 8th February, 1772. They had seven children: Abigail, 
married David Holbrook. Josiah, born 15th October, 1742 ; mar- 
ried Margaret Druce. Nathan, born 6th July, 1744; married 
Mary Daj^ and removed to Union, Me. 5, Philip, born 6th March, 
1746. Martha, married Abijah Wilder. Hephsibah, unmarried, 
and a celebrated midwife within a circuit of forty miles from 
Wrentham. 

4. Robert, married 11th October, 1770, Eunice Bordin. He 
lived in AVrentham and died there 8th November, 1776. She 
died 11th Januar}', 1816. The}' had three children: Chloe, born 
1st June, 1773. Calvin, born 17th December, 1774. 6, Rob- 
ert, born 1st January', 1777. 

5. Philip, deacon of Wrentham church, removed to Franklin 
about 1790 and bought a farm of John Adams. He married, first, 
Sarah, daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Morse) Allen of Medfield, 
who died 24th May, 1795 ; second, Beriah Lawrence, who died 23d 
May, 1828 ; third. Widow Olive Whiting, of Wrentham. He died 
16th December, 1836 at over 90. He had ten children bj'his first 
wife, of whom only five reached maturity : Patt}' (or Martha) 
married Eli Messenger of Wrentham and removed to Pawtucket, 
R. I. Josiah, born 16th April, 1782, removed to Rockville and 
became deacon of the East Medway church. Sarah, married 
Henr}' Campbell, of Oxford, and removed there. Hepzibah, mar- 
ried Asa Fuller and resided in North Franklin. Their son, New- 
ell, lives on their homestead. Asa Metcalf B. is a prominent 
citizen of West Medway. 7, Ira, born 19th October, 1790. 

6. Robert, married 11th April, 1799, Abigail Blake. He died 
22d December, 1800 ; she died 3d January, 1833. They had nine 
children: Austin, born 3d March, 1800. Robert, Jr., born 4th 
March, 1802. Herman R. (not recorded.) Roxana, born 28th 
October, 1805. Joel Nelson, born 12th May, 1807. Stephen 
Mann, born 1st January, 1811. Lewis, born 11th Januar}', 1812. 



236 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Abigail, born 9tli June, 1816. Charles Fisher, born 24th Febru- 
arj', 1818. Caroline, born 13th February, 1820. 

7. Ira. Went to Pittston, Me., where he married Laura^ 
daughter of Capt. Augustus and Chloe (Fisk) Moway, of Putne}", 
Vt. ; returned to Franklin in 1817, and lived upon the homestead. 
He died 20th September, 1848 ; she died 1st October, 1867. They 
had seven children: Mortimer. (See graduates.) Sarah, Au- 
gustus Mowr}-, lives in Mew London, Conn. Laura Matilda, 
married William Rockwood. Oramel Bradlej' on the homestead. 

Other Blakes, residents in town, have been : Solomon from, 
Wrentham, who settled on the Mt. Hope road and had Solomon, 
Jr. This famil}' has entirely left town. Abraham, Jr., also from 
Wrentham, represented now by Alvin Blake, and David Partridge 
Blake, who married Polly, daughter of Elihu Pond. Some of his 
family live in the northern part of the town. But the naiue has. 
mostly disappeared. 

THE CLARK FAMILY. 

The Clarks of Franklin are traced to Jonathan and Experience 
of Wrentham, who had eight children, of whom — 

1. John, the eldest, born 22d October, 1725; married, 16th 
Januaiy, 1752, Ruth Baxter, and had eight children. 2, Abijah, 
born 4th March, 1755; married Melatiah Pond. Susanna, born. 
30th July, 1757; married Nathaniel Thayer. Ruth, born 14th: 
June, 17G0; married Asa Metcalf. Mary, born 22d December,. 
1762 ; married Levi Fisher. Nathan, born 2Gth November, 1765 ;; 
married Subra Metcalf. Sarah, born 7th May, 1768. 3, Paul, 

born 26th October, 1770; married Phebe . Rachel, born 

12th November, 1772 ; married Nathan Pond. 

2. Abijah and Melatiah (Pond) had three children : Abijah, 
born 5th April, 1785. Melatiah, born 26th November, 1792, and 
died 11th October, 1804. Lois, born 2d January, 1796 ; married 
Hiram Knapp, 20th May, 1813. 

3. Paul, married Phebe , and had four children : Melinda, 

born 2d October, 1798, and died 6th July, 1800. Daniel Pen- 
niman, born 3d May, 1801, and died 27th January, 1805. Mary, 
born 6th May, 1805 ; married, 13th April, 1826, Adin Fisher. 
Paul Baxter, born 14th October, 1807 ; deacon South Franklin 
church. (For his portrait see Centennial Committee, plate 2.) 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 237 

By another line of unrecorded ancestry : — 

1. Dyar and Rachel Clark. He died 8th September, 1807. 

She died 16th June, 1818. Their children were: Pamela, born 

19th February, 1764; married Levi Hawes. p:zekiel, born 13th 

April, 1766. Elizabeth, born 28th January, 1769, and died 31st 

August, 1795. 2, Dyer, Jr., born 7th December, 1769. Rachel, 

born 10th February, 1772 ; married Luther Cobb, of Belling- 

Tiam (?). Elizabeth, born 11th February, 1774, and died 31st 

August, 1795. Hannah, baptized 31st June, 1776 ; married Jesse 

Nason of Walpole. Franklin, born 8th March, 1778. 3, Nathan, 

born 28th January, 1781. 

Jesse Nason, born 21st February, 1776; removed to Franklin 
after his marriage, where he died 24th May, 1845. His wife died 
27th December, 1856. They had four children : Laura, born 28th 
December, 1800 ; died 4th July, 1855 ; unmarried. Elizabeth 
Clark, born 15th February, 1802 ; married first Preston Wood- 
ward, second Ira Haywood. George AVarren, born 11th January, 
1806 ; married first Hannah Pond, second Peacy B. Cook ; he 
died 9th November, 1868. And an infant. 

George W. had six sons, four of whom were volunteers in the 
Union army against the rebellion, as will be seen in the list of 
soldiers. They have furnished a portrait of their father, inserted 

opposite. 

Mr. Nason was a well-known and widely-regarded citizen, an 
early member of the Congregational church, and noted for strong 
and tender feelings, great generosity to the poor and enthusiasm 
in every good work, especially of temperance, which sometimes 
carried him beyond his cooler after-judgment. He was greatly 
instrumental in securing the location of the railroad through 
Franklin, He was twice elected member of the State Legislature, 
and for thirty years occupied some important municipal office. He 
was also deputy sheriff of the county for many years. His funeral 
was attended by fully 2,000 persons, and he was buried with 
Masonic honors. The county newspaper of the day said, "no 
man in Norfolk county will be missed more than Mr. Nason." 

2. Dyer, Jr., married 10th July, 1793, Nancy Day. They had 
seven children, of whom two died young : Nancy, born 24th Jan- 
uary, 1794. Laura, born 19th May, 1799 ; married Joseph Bul- 
lard, of Medway. Adaline, born 9th August, 1801. Mary Hawes, 



238 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

born 0th Fobruavv, 1807, and married Williams, of Grant- 

ville. William Emerson, born 2d September, 1808. 

3, Nathan and Nanc}' (Pay son) Clark had eleven children : 
Sally, born od October, 1802. Nathan, Jr., born 2od July, 1804. 
Ezekiel Hall, born 2 1th October, 180(5. Horatio Kingsbury, born 
2d August, 1808. Thcron Edmund, born 24th December, 1810. 
Nancy, born 27th December, 1812; married 27th October, 1831, 
to Philander Gilmore. Charles Willard, born 25th September, 
1815. Dyar Gilbert, died young. Alfred, born 18th July, 1810. 
Gilbert, born 30th December, 1822. (See biographical sketches.) 
Abigail Ilawes, l)oru 3d March, 1825. 

By still another Wrentham line, but unconnected, came : — 

1. Benjamin and Judith (^Mctcalf) Clark ; married 20th April, 
1741. Had: 2, Sauuiel, born 23d May, 1743. Benjamin, born 
15th June, 1745. Susanna, born 27th August, 1747. 

2. Samuel married Esther Jones. He died 17th Januar}', 1822. 
They had : Benjamin, born 4th November, 1771. Susanna, born 
16th November, 1773 ; married Levi Fisher. Betty, born Gth De- 
cember, 1775. Paul, born 27th Februar}-, 1778. 3, Samuel, Jr., 
born 4th December, 1782. Olive, born 25th Januar}-, 1785. 

3. Samuel, Jr., and Hannah had : Erastus, born 27th 

November, 1800 ; and ^lary, born 10th August, 1814 ; married 
Smith Fisher, late postmaster. 

Ebenezer Clark, whose name appears as petitioner for the pre- 
cinct in 1738, left no descendant here as we can discover. He 
married 15th February, 1721, Anna Fisher, of Wrentham, and 
had nine children, of whom Levi, born 10th April, 1734, was the 
onl}- surviving son. Of him no further mention is made, neither 
of the marriage of the three daughters — Experience, Achsah and 
Jerusha. 

THE DANIELS FAMILY. 

The immigrant ancestor, .loseph, first appears in INIedfield 
among the subscribers '• towards building a new coUedge at Cam- 
bridge" in 1678. 

Joseph, Jr., his son, married Bethiah, and had six children: 
Samuel, Joseph, David, Hannah, Ezra and Sarah. 

David, born 1600. married ^Magdalen, and had Seth and other 
children. He died 10th November, 1781, at 82. She died 13th 
October, 1780. 




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GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 239 

Seth, born 30tli October, 1737, married Unite, daughter of Dea. 
Daniel and Elizabeth Thurston, of Franklin, He occupied the 
farm and house afterwards of his grandson, Fisher Daniels, and a 
view of which is given opposite as it was sketched by M. Blake 
some thirt}' years ago. The house has been removed further south 
and converted into a tenement-house. He died IGth Novem- 
ber, 1785, aged nearlj- 48. She died 16th October, 1821, aged 
73. They had four children: Julia, died at 16. Joseph, born 
14:th October, 1771. Susanna married Job Carpenter, and died 
earl^'. Julia second wife of Job Carpenter, and removed to Sutton. 

Joseph married Susan, daughter of Joseph and Susa Fisher, 4th 
September, 1793. He lived on the homestead, where he also kept 
a small store, and raised a family of thirteen children. He died 
19th July, 1828. She died 17th February, 1829. Their children 
were : Seth, born 14th September, 1794 ; married Huldah Harris ; 
removed to Oxford ; was deacon of the Congregational church, 
and died 22d February, 1878. Fisher, born 2d August, 1796 ; 
married first Eunice Adams, second Ann Fames, of Hopkinton, 
and died 10th March, 1874. He was a school-teacher in winter 
for many years. His portrait is given on the following page. Julia 
Maria, born 4th August, 1798 ; married Philo Thurston, and re- 
moved to Union, Me. ; died there 20th December, 1869. Unit}' 
M^'ra, born 17th August, 1800 ; married Rev. J. R. Cushing. (See 
biographical sketches.) Albert Early, born 25th September, 1802 ; 
married Olive, daughter of Joseph and Deborah Hills. He has 
been an extensive straw bonnet manufacturer, and filled many 
public offices. He resides in the house formerly built by Rev. E. 
Smalley during his pastorate. Caroline Melita, born 24th Octo- 
ber, 1804 ; married Fisher A. Kingsbury-, and died 31st December, 
1854. Willis George, born 22d October, 1806. (See biographical 
sketches.) Susan Fisher, born 6th October, 1808 ; married Albert 
Cleveland, and died 6th February, 1834. Hiram Abiff", born 30th 
October, 1810, and removed to Amoskeag, X. H. Martha Car- 
penter, born 9th March, 1813 ; married John AY. Mason, of Bos- 
ton, and died 3d June, 1845. Darwin Joseph, born 12th January, 
1815 ; became Ma^'or of Manchester. N. H., and died 15th August, 
1865. Harriet Louisa, born 25th May, 1817; married Rev. M. 
Blake, D. D. (See biographical sketches.) Charles Adams, born 
30th August, 1820; resides in Milford, N. H. 



240 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

THE DARLING FAMILY 

appears to have made only a temporary lodgment in town. No 
record is had of the name in the early Franklin records other than 
of David as one of the petitioners, and only Lydia appears in the 
church list. Wrentham records are almost equall}' silent. We find 
the seven children of David and Lydia Darling (probably the peti- 
tioner) : Ruhamah, born 7th February, 172.5 ; died early. Enoch, 
born 29th September, 1727. David, Jr., died young. Timothy, 
born 14th April, 1731. Elijah, born 23d February, 1740. Ru- 
hamah, born 3d December, 1742. Lydia. 

Nathaniel Fisher married a Lydia Darling 10th March, 1766. 

THE FAIRBANK FAMILY. 

1. Jonathan (from whom Nathaniel, the petitioner, descended) 
came to Dedham before 1664, with his wife, Grace, and six chil- 
dren from Somerb)-, west riding of Yorkshire, England. He had, 
2, John ; George; Mary married Christopher Smith ; Jonas; Jona- 
than, and Susan, who married Ralph Day. 

2. John, his son, married Sarah , and had nine children ; 

he died 13th November, 1684. She died 26th November, 1683. 
Their children were : Joshua, born 26th May, 1643. 3, John, 
born 7th February, 1644. Sarah, born 9th December, 1645. 
Jonathan died young. Martha and Maiy, born 25th December, 
1650. Joseph, born 10th May, 1656. Hannah, born 10th Feb- 
ruary, 1659. Benjamin, born 17th February, 1662. 

3. John, married Hannah , and had : 4, John, born 

1675 at Dedham. Joshua, born at AVrentham 18th March, 1682 ; 
married Hannah Ware. Abigail, born 17th August, 1686. Na- 
thaniel, born 9th May, 1687. Sarah died J'oung. Deborah, born 

1st August, 1692. Hannah, born ; married John Adams. 

The father died 14th September, 1706. 

4. John, married Elizabeth ; Lieutenant. He died 14th 

September, 1706. He had: Nathan, born 6th August, 1704. 5, 
John, born 28th February, 1706. 

5. John, married Jane Ware, 30th July, 1729. She died 17th 

June, 1788. They had : 6, Asa, born ,1730. Freelove, 

born 25th May, 1734. Meliscent, born 31st August, 1736. Bil- 
ling, baptized 14th June, 1741. Olive, born 28th December, 
1745. 



j 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 241 

6. Asa Blamed Sarah Pond of Franklin ; he died 28th Octo- 
ber, 1809. She died 2d July, 1801. They had: Billing, born 
24th Ma}^, 1756 ; married Abigail Fisher. 7, Asa, born 3d June, 
1758. Meliscent, born 18th March, 17G0 ; married Barzillai Pond, 
18th October, 1782. Caroline, died young. Gideon, died at 17. 
Olive, born 1st March, 1767 ; married Joseph Morse of Hopkinton. 
Nathan, born 20th May, 1769. Elisha, born 6th June, 1771. 
Willard, born 10th October, 1773 ; married Susanna Lethbridge. 
John, born 6th January, 1775. Otis, died 3'oung. 

7. Asa, Jr., Captain ; was prominent officer in the Revolution- 
ary War; he married Julitta Metcalf 23d November, 1784; he 
died 29th August, 1803. They had : Jerusha, born 6th Januar}', 
1786 ; married Simeon Bates of Bellingham. Julitta, born 10th 
April, 1788 ; married Rufus Gilmore and went to Newburgh, Me. 
Caroline, born 25th September, 1791 ; married Hon. Willis Fisher. 
Abigail, born 12th November, 1793. Asa, born 24th July, 1795, 
and removed to Providence, R. I. Sarah, born 1st May, 1804 ; 
married Elias Metcalf, and removed to Medwaj'. 

THE FISHER FAMILY 

of Franklin came from at least two different importations. Our 
data are insufficient to solve all the perplexing interconnections. 
But the several lines have been traced back and joined as far as the 
records will allow. They will, it is hoped, prove long enough 
for the present generation of Fishers to hang themselves to their 
proper ancestiy, if they have any such genealogical aspirations. It 
was once said that there were more Fishers than Ponds in Frank- 
lin. Strange if some were not without a line. 

1, Thomas Fisher came from Winston, Cambridge, England, to 
Dedham in 1637, with his wife Elizabeth, and three children, viz. : 
2, Samuel ; Thomas, who married Rebecca Woodman and settled in 
Dedham, and Constance, who died 3'oung. He died 10th August, 
1638, while building the Dedham meeting-house. His wife died 
31st Januaiy, 1652. 

2. Samuel married Melatiah Snow and became the first deacon 
of the Wrentham church, where he died 6th January, 1704. They 
had : Samuel married Abigail Heath, but left no children ; Eliza- 
beth married John Elhs ; Hannah married George ; Melatiah 
married Eleazer Metcalf — all born in Dedham. 3, Ebenezer, 

16 



242 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

born in Wrentham, 20th December, 1670 ; and Abigail married 
Daniel Farrington. 

3. Ebenezer married Abigail Ellis, 1695 ; was Captain. He 
died 28tli December, 1726. Their children were: Samuel, born 
29th December, 1695, married Mary Fisher ; Abigail married Ben- 
jamin Hawes ; Ebenezer, born 7th October, 1700, married Hannah 
Whiting ; Richard, born 7th August, 1702, married Esther Fisher ; 
Mehitable died young ; Melatiah married Jonathan Ware ; Eliza- 
beth married Joshua Ellis ; Hepzibah died young ; Jeremiah, born 
12th October, 1711 ; 4, Jabez, born 19th November, 1717. 

4. Jabez (see biographical sketches), honorable and deacon 
of Franklin church, married Mar}^ Adams. He died 15th October, 
1806. She died 10th September, 1801. Their children were: 
Jabez, born 11th December, 1741, died unmarried over 90 j-ears. 

5, Pelatiah born 23d March, 1744. Susannah probably died young. 

6 , Peter born 6th April, 1 746 . Ezra probably died young. Nathan 

born 14th September 1750, removed to Westboro, where he was 
Representative for twentj^-five j^ears. Susan married Joseph Fisher. 
Samuel, born 14th May, 1755, settled in Westboro. 7, Aaron, born 
18th March, 1758. Mary married Jason Fisher. 

5. Pelatiah married Irene Kingsbury 17th November, 1802. 
He died 19th May, 1828. She died 20th September, 1843, aged 77. 
His two children died in infancy, and he adopted Irene, daughter of 
Jason, who married Asa G. Norcross. He built and occupied 
the house in which Dr. Chambre resides. 

6. Peter married Joanna . He died 22d March, 1836. She 

died 26th September, 1822. Their children were : James, resided 
and died in Lowell, was Deputy Sheriff. 8, Perez, born 14th July, 
1782. Lewis, 31st May, 1784. 9, Peter, Jr., 26th May, 1787. 
Joanna, unmarried. 

7. Aaron married Rachel Fisher 18th October, 1787. He died 
17th Januar}', 1830. Their children were: Aaron, Jr., settled 
in Nashua, N. H. ; Philo married and removed to Douglas. 

8. Perez married Mary Perry 10th June, 1807, and had Smith 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. £43 

Peny born 28th August, 1808 ; and Emeline, married Erastus L. 
Metcalf, now an extensive lumberman in town. 

9 Peter, Jr., married Mary Hawes, 16tb November, 1815 She 
died 22d May 1836, and he married Mary Thurston. He died 27th 
June, 8o9. Tliey had children : EUza Jane married Jonathan Pond 
ot Medway ; Joseph Hawes, now in Milford, N. H. ; James Fer- 
dinand; Lewis Leprelette. 

Another prolific branch of the Fishers sprang from Anthony 
who came with his family to Dedham in 1637 from Syleham, En^^ 
land, about ten miles from the home of Thomas in Winston. hIs 

brother Joshua followed him to Ded- 
ham in 1640 with his family. The 
descendants of Joshua settled in 
Dedham and Medfield. Among 
them was Captain Daniel, Jr., who 
seized Sir Edmund Andros while 
Governor, and concealed the regi- 
cide Goffe, and sent him to Hadley 
with his daughter Lydia as pilot on 
a pillion behind him. 

The coat of arms of the Fisher 
family of England, and used by 
Joshua Fisher, Sr., in this country, 
is given. It will be seen to be 
identical with that of the Dauphin 
of France, who received it from the 
last Count of Dauphine. 

1. Anthony above had: 2, Anthony, Jr. 3, Cornelius. Na- 
thaniel, Daniel, Lydia married Daniel Morse, all born in England 
Nathaniel and Lydia went to Medtield, and their posterity, "some 
of them, came into Franklin. 

2. Anthony, Jr. , married Joanna Faxin of Dedham, 7th Septem 
ber,1647 ; he died 13th February, 1670. She died 16th October 
16J4. They had : Mehitable ; Josiah, born 1st May, 1654 : Sarah ' 
Ehezer, born 18th September, 1669. 

oo^' J^f "^""'' "" carpenter, married Leah Heaton of Dedham 
23d February, 1653. She died 12th January, 1664, and he mar' 
ned Sarah Everett, 24th July, 1665. She died 28th February 




244 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

1675. He removed to Wrentham with the first settlers, where he 
died 2d Januar}', 1699, "being," the town records say, " the first 
head of a family died in the town of a natural death for thirty 
5-ears." This qualifying clause must refer to the death of Joseph 
Kingsbury, in 1688, " in an awful and dreadful way," and no fur- 
ther described. His children were : Elizabeth ; Leah ; Experience ; 
4, Cornelius, Jr., born 8th February, 1660 ; Ann ; 5, Eliezer, born 
5th Jul}', 1663. B}' his second wife, Dorothy ; Sarah ; Jonathan, 
the third death on the Wrentham records. 

4. Cornelius, Jr., married Ann or Hannah Whiting, of Sher- 
born. She died 6th March, 1701, and he married Mercy Colburn 
of Dedham. She died, 20th September, 1726, and he married 
Mary Ware. He died 6th January, 1743, in his 84th j'ear. 
His children were : Jonathan, died young ; 6, Cornelius, born 29th 
September, 1692 ; Isaac, born 19th May, 1694 ; Ann, married 
Ebenezer Clark ; 7, Joseph, born 11th May, 1698 ; 8, Benjamin, 
born 6th March, 1701; Mercy, married Samuel Fisher; Esther, 
born 27th October, 1710. 

5. Eliezer married Hannah Leonard 21st March, 1688. He 
had: 9, Eliezer, Jr., and others born probably elsewhere and in 
Wrentham. Lenard, born 8th June, 1704 ; John, born 1st April, 
1706. 

6. Cornelius married Hannah Partridge 2d February, 1725. 
He owned land in Franklin at "Pabalutick" (Popolatic) near 
where he resided. He had seven daughters, no sons, and his 
name ended. 

7. Joseph married Mary Sweetzer and had: 10, Joseph, born 
31st August, 1724. The only child recorded. 

8. Benjamin, married Anna Cowell, and had Martha ; Benja- 
min, born 15th April, 1729; Daniel, born 14th January, 1731; 
Asa, born 17th September, 17^2; Anna; Joshua, born 24th Feb- 
ruary 1737; Amos, born 19th August, 1739; 18, Joseph, born 
6th October, 1741. (See No. 18 below). 

9. Eliezer, Jr. , married Rachel , and had : Daniel, born 

6th February, 1722 ; Hannah, married Joseph Hawes ; 11, Heze- 
kiah, born 16th May, 1726 ; 25, Eleazer, born 30th January, 1730 ; 
Simeon, born 21st November, 1731 ; Rachel, married Timothy 
Fisher; Abijah, born 12th November, 1736. 

10. Joseph married Margaret , and had : Joseph, born 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 245 

31st August, 1753; Hanuah; John, born 6th April, 1758; 12, 
Jason, born 2Sth June, 1760, married Mary Fisher. 

11. Hczekiah married Abigail Daniels 4th September, 1751; 
resided in North Franklin. He died 27th June, 1809. She died 

11th Januar}', 1788, and he married, second, Dinah . She 

died 23d March, 1812. His children were: Eunice; 13, Asa, 

born 8th March, 1757; 14, Levi, born 8th , 1758; Moses, 

born 13th October, 1763; 15, Caleb, born 11th October, 17G8. 

12. Jason married Mary Fisher 27th November, 1783. She 
died 14th June, 1804, and he married second Olive Smith, 10th 
October, 1805. He died 29th September, 1822. His children : 
John, born 6th September, 1784; 16, Jason, born 30th March, 
1787 ; Mar}^ ; Jemima, married Alfred Ware ; Nathaniel, born 28th 
October, 1795; Charles Martel, born 24th Jul}-, 1799, and removed 
to Chelmsford ; Irene, married Asa G. Norcross. 

13. Asa married Rachel Adams. She died 4th March, 1830, 
and he married second Prudence Keith. He died 23d November, 
1843. His children were: Lewis, born 10th December, 1784, 
married Rebecca Berry ; James and George W. died 3'oung ; 
Patty, married Archibald De Witt; Nathan Austin, born 23d No- 
vember, 1796, and removed to Westboro. 

14. Levi married Mary Clark 9th June, 1785. She died 31st 
March, 1788, and he married second Susanna Clark, 13th April, 
1809. She died 27th May, 1858. His children were: Mary, 
married WilUam Adams, Jr.; Ruth, married Elisha Richardson; 
Sally, not married; Abigail, died young; Rena, married Elisha 
Bullard; Abigail, married Timothy Leland Pond; David, died 
young. By second wife: Levi Clark, born 7th January, 1810; 
David, born 20th January, 1812 ; Susanna, and Mehuda. 

15. Caleb married Sally Cushing 20th November, 1793. She 
died 11th August, 1835. He married, second, Achsah Metcalf. 
He died 6th August, 1862, in his 94th year. His children : Alex- 
ander Metcalf. (See biographical sketches.) 17, Willard, born 
17th March, 1796. Ehza Tilestone ; married Dr. John W. Teu- 
ney. (See biographical sketches.) Nancy, married Rev. Thomas 
Kidder. (See biographical sketches.) 

16. Jason, Jr., married Mary Rich. Ho died 10th July, 1863. 
Their children were : George Nelson, born 4th May, 1813, resides 



246 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

in Cliarlestown ; Mary Adaline and John Warren, died young ; 
Ellen Maria, died unmarried 29tli March, 1872. 

17. Willard married Betsey R. Wheeler. He died 14th Janu- 
ary, 1866. His children : Alexander Metcalf, died in infancy ; 
Sewall, born 9th November, 1834. Sarah, born 17th September, 
1836. Betsey, died 3'oung. George. (See biogi-aphical sketches.) 
Abby, born 28th October, 1843. 

Going back on these lines — on that of Anthony to (8) Ben- 
jamin, and on that of Thomas to (8) Jabez — you find Joseph of 
the one line married Susa of the other. Of this union came as 
follows : — 

18. Joseph, married Susa Fisher, 1st January, 1773. He died 
26th January, 1819. She died in 1842. Children: Susan, mar- 
ried Joseph Daniels. Xancy, married Nathan Gilmore ; Eliab, 
born 24th February, 1779, removed, and has two sons in New 
York. 19, Willis, born 20th July, 1783. 20, Maxcy, born 12th 
August, 1785. George. (See biographical sketches.) Joseph, 
died young. Hermon, born 25th June, 1792, removed to Bangor. 
Clara, died unmarried 14th May, 1833. 

19. Willis married Caroline Fairbank 8th February, 1810. 
He died 1st January, 1866, aged over 82. She died 26th July 
1858. 

Esquire Fisher, whose portrait is given opposite, was a man of 
more than ordinary abiUty. He lived in the south part of the 
town, but was a regular attendant at church with his whole large 
family. He supervised a large farm, but found time to perform 
an extensive business as justice of the peace for ^-ears. He was 
frequently elected to town offices, although living away from the 
Center, was chosen Representative, etc. He had clear and posi- 
tive convictions and a wide interest in all that pertained to the 
welfare of the town. His children were : Milton Metcalf. (See 
biographical sketches.) George Perkins, born 15th April, 1813. 
Abigail Bacon married first Charles Slocum, second Rev. Sam- 
uel Hunt. (See ecclesiastical notices.) Charles Willis, 11th No- 
vember, 1820. Caroline Fairbanks and Ellen Maria died unmar- 
ried ; Julia Francis married Rufus Chapin, and resides in Chicago. 

20. Maxcy married Persis Metcalf, 31st December, 1811. She 

died 24th March, 1835 ; married, second, Abigail . He died 

30th August, 1865, aged 80. Their children were : Sarah Hawk- 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 247 

ins, died at 23 years ; Louisa Jane married Rev. Edwin Thompson 
(see biographical sketches) ; Josepli Haven, born 23d June, 1817 ; 
Susan, married Rev. E. Thompson ; Paul Metcalf, died young ; 
Maria Richardson, Martha Emmons, Nanc}', Elial, Clara, and 
Lucius W., died 3'oung ; Hermon Maxcy, born 24th August, 1821, 
and lives on the homestead. 

Another branch line of the Franklin Fishers depends from (1) 
Thomas, (3) Ebenezer and his son. 

21. Captain Ebenezer, Jr., married Hannah Whiting, loth Ma^', 
1729, and had the following children : Ebenezer, born 28th July, 
1730 ; 22, Timoth}^ born 8th December, 1732 ; David, born 1st Sep- 
tember, 1735; James, born 25th February, 1737; Elijah, born 
25th August, 1739 ; Hannah, P^Iizabeth and Susanna. 

22. Timoth3' married Keturah Pond 2d October, 1755. He died 
3d Ma}', 1814. He had the following children : George, born 7th 
March, 1756 ; Ro3'al, born 16th November, 1757 ; Oliver, born 
7th Ma}', 1759 ; C^-rus, born 25th December, 1760; Lewis, liorn 
9th Januar}^, 1763 ; Hannah ; 23, Timothy, Jr., born 2d August, 
1767; and Keturah. 

23. Timothy, Jr., married Hannah . She died 9th Oc- 
tober, 1790, and he married, second, Dorcas Cleveland of Medfield, 
28th May, 1795. She died 6th July, 1860. His children : Abi- 
jah, born 2d November, 1788; Whiting, born 3d October, 1790, 
and removed to Sutton. B}' second wife he had : Harmon Cleve- 
land, born 13th April, 1797. He was an active straw manufac- 
turer for years and frequent public officer. He now resides in 
Haverhill. Had one child. Hannah married Tchabod Dean ; 
24, Adin, born 6th April, 1800 ; Adaline, and Charlotte. 

24. Adin married Mary Clark 13th April, 1826. He has had 
several children and is still living in town. 

Another branch of Fishers sprang from (1) Anthony, and (9) 
Eleazer through his son. 

25. Eleazer. He married Mary Daws 7th December, 1756, 
and had: Olive; 26, Eleazer, Jr., born 18th July, 1759; Fred- 
eric, born 1st June, 1763. She died 14th October, 1806. He 
died 19th May, 1804. 

26. Eleazer, Jr., married Susanna . He died 3d June, 

1818. His children were : Harriet, born 2d March, 1790; Sam- 



248 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

uel Biram, removed to New Hampshire ; Frederic, born 28th De- 
cember, 1794; Melia, born 27th November, 1798. 

Still another line is traceable to Nathaniel, of Wrentham, who 
might have been of Nathaniel, the son of (1) Anthon}', who went 
to Medfield. 

27. Nathaniel was an original immigrant into Wrentham with 
his wife Hannah. They had four children in AVrentham : Joseph, 
born 30th March, 1729 ; 28, Nathaniel, born loth December, 1730 ; 
Hannah, born 29th December, 1733, married Daniel Hawes ;* 
Elizabeth, born 14th October, 1734, married Asa AYhiting. 

28. Nathaniel, Jr., married Jemima Richardson 22d October, 
1757. Their children were: Jemima, died j'^oung ; Jacob and 
Jerusha, born 20th March, 1760; Amasa, born 19th September, 
17G2; Darius, born 26th July, 1765 ; 29, Lewis, born 6th Decem- 
ber, 1767; Jemima, married Kev. W. Harris, D. D. (see bio- 
graphical sketches) . 

29. Lewis married Abigail . He filled many town offices ; 

was Representative for several years. State Senator, Justice of the 
Peace, etc. His wife died 25th February, 1809, aged about 40; 
and he married second Lula Chandler Bacon, of Sutton, 16th Jan- 
uary, 1812. Their children were: Nathaniel, Jr., died young; 
Lewis Whiting (see biographical sketches); Harvey and Harlous, 
born 1st September, 1795; Harvey died young; Abigail Whiting 
died young; Nathaniel Emmons, born 29th Septeml)er, 1800; 
Maria Ann; CaroHne; John Hancock, born 23d January, 1807, is 
in California; Walter Harris, born 28th January, 1809, and re- 
sides in Norfolk. By second wife he had Abigail Ursula, married 
Adams Daniels, of Medway. 

Other families of this name we have been unable to trace by the 
town records. Thus, of the family of Daniel C. Fisher we find 
no record of his marriage to either of his three wives. We learn 
their number only by the record of the deaths of Lurana, 15th 
May, 1807, and of Sarah, 20th January, 1810. He died 17th 
November, 1835. His children were : Betsejs died at 23 j'ears ; 
Julius, born 20th January, 1796 ; Daniel Cowell, born 30th August, 
1800 ; Lucy Baker, born 1st May, 1803 ; David Baker, born 23d 

* Such persons were married at the proper age, but we are not sure of the 
identity. 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 



249 



Ma3', 1809 ; Lurana died at 16 ; Charles Richmond. (See bio- 
graphical sketches) . 

THE FITZPATRICK FAMILY. 

John L. Fitzpatrick came into town abont 1845. He bought 
the house of John Broady, first built and occupied b}- Alfred Ware, 
which he has ornamented and made a verj- tasteful residence. A 
view of it is here inserted. 




EESIDENCE OF JOHX L. FITZPATRICK. 

Mr. Fitzpatrick was the first mover towards the gathering of a 
Catholic congregation, and has been an influential member of it, 
as well as a justly- respected citizen of the town. 

THE GAY FAMILY. 

This family earl}' disappeared from town. Edward, one of the 
petitioners for the Precinct charter, owned the farm afterwards 



250 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 



occupied bj* Aaron Fisher, and built the house still standing, being 
the first plank-house in town. He was descended from Edward 
and Rebecca (Fisher), of AVrentham, whose line is tracealde 
through Samuel of JJedham (born 1039,) to John of Watertown. 
Edward married llachel Puffer 14th June, 1722. One of the 
original mem])ers of the Franklin church. He died 23d December^ 




KESIDEKCE OF HKNltY M. OKKENE. 



1730, in his 64th year. She died 17th May, 1754. Thoy had: 
Rebekah, Ijorn 2.0th June, 1723, married Kzekicl Hall. Edward, 
Jr,, born 8th May, 172G. Rachel, died young. 

Ed ward, Jr., married first Margary ,second Mary . 

He had nine children : Thomas, born 7th October, 17.53 ; Rachel, 
born 24th August, 1755; Margary, born Uth December, 17.57; 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 251 

Zipporah, born 7tli May, 1760; Timothy, born ITtli June, 1762; 
Joseph, born 2d October, 1764 ; Susey, born 1 1th February, 1768. 
By second wife he had : Elizabeth, born 17th November, 1772 ; 
Dorcas, born 21st April, 1775. 

Of these children Thomas married Mary Bacon 12th January, 
1786, and Timothy married Submit Blackman 1st December, 
1785. 

Timothy had: Edward, born 28th May, 1790; Willard, born 
18th February, 1792; Mary, born 27th April, 1796; Timothy, 
Jr., born 2d November, 1797. 

THE GREENE FAMILY. 

Martin Greene, the first of the name in town, purchased the 
business and estate of Jason Morse, about a mile from the City 
Mills, not far from the beginning of 1800. He had two children, 
Henry M., and Angennette, present wife of David P. Baker. 

Henry M. Greene has been an extensive straw-bonnet manu- 
facturer. He has filled important civil offices in town. His por- 
trait is in the group of the Centennial Committee. A \dew of his 
residence on Main street is given on the opposite page. 

THE HALL FAMILY. 

Edward Hall, one of the eariy settlers of West precinct, sud- 
denly disappeared with his whole family, leaAdng only their names 
upon the records. He married Hannah Fisher, 7th February, 
1722, and had: Edward, born 18th July, 1727; James, born 22d 
April, 1729; Hezekiah, born 9th August, 1730; Hannah, l)orn 
30th June, 1732; Mary, born 20th February, 1735; Seth, born 
26th August, 1736. Where they went is not known. 

THE HAWES FAMILY' 

is traceable back to the first settlement of Dedham. 

1. Edward, of Dedham, married loth April, 1648, Eliony Lum- 
ber, and had nine children. He died 28th June, 1686. His chil- 
dren were : Lydia ; married a Gay. Mary. 2, Daniel, born 10th 
February, 1652 ; married Abial Gay. Hannah, married John 
Mason. John and Nathaniel died young. Abigail, married John 
Fales. Joseph. Deborah, married in Wrentham, first to Eph- 
raim Pond ; second, married a Bacon. 



252 



HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 



2. Daniel, of Wrentham, and Abial Ga}' were married 11th 
Febrnary, 1677. He died 16th March, 1739, aged 86. They 
had : Mary, married Eleazer Ware. Abigail, married Theodore 
Man. 3, Daniel, born 30th March, 1684 ; married Beria Man. 
Josiah. Hezekiah, married Esther AVare. Kuth, married 
Nathaniel Wright. Benjamin, married Abigail Fisher. 




THE HAAVES HOMESTEAD. 



3. Daniel, Jr., of Franklin and Beria (Man) had eleven chil- 
dren : Daniel. Samuel. Pelatiah, married Judith Peck. Thomas. 
Aaron. Ichabod. Timothy, married Mary Ware. Beriah, and 
4, Josiah, born 30th March, 1724. Mar3% married Ebenezer 
Lawrence ; and 5, Joseph, born 21st March, 1728. 

A view of the Hawes homestead is here inserted. It is proba- 
bly the oldest house in Franklin, built at least 175 j'ears ago. Its 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 



253 



interior shows its great antiquit}', and that it was erected to be a 
defense against Indian attacks. 

4. Josiah married Meria Lyon, and had : Ahijah and Mat- 
thias, who both went to Union, Me.; Mary; Jemima, married a 
Wight, of Bellingham; Beria; Levi, born 22d May, 1765. 

5. Ensign Joseph married Hannah Fisher, 15th January, 1752. 




MAJOR MOSES KXAPP'S HOMESTEAD. 

He died 18th February, 1818. They had : 7, Moses, born 8th 
November, 1752; Susa ; Joseph, married Hannah "NVhiting ; Abi- 
gail ; Amos, Captain, married Melatiah Everett, of AVrentham ; 
Peter (see biographical sketches) . 

6. Levi, deacon of Franklin church from 1827 to his death, 9th 
May, 1839. He married Pamela Clark, 1st January, 1793, and 
had: Mary; Abigail, married Capt. Joel Hills, of Maine; 



254 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Josiah, born 14tli December, 1804, married 30th November, 1826, 
Esther Taft, and went to Holliston. 

7. Moses married Poll}' . He spent his early life in 

Union, Me. The}' had: Amelia, married 7th September, 1819, 
Dr. Elisha Harding (see biographical sketches); Eleanor, married 
Maj. Alfred Knapp; Mary, married Peter Fisher; and a daughter 
Tvho married an Allen, father of Sabin and Amos H. Allen, and 
Clarinda. 

On the preceding page is a view of the homestead of Maj. 
Moses Knapp, the father of Alfred, Hiram and Melville Knapp, 
and to which Alfred took the daughter of Moses Hawes. It is not 
far from Unionville, towards Bellingham, and a fine sample of the 
former homes of old Franklin. 

Nathaniel Hawes, among the earliest members of the church 
and precinct, apparentl}' came of another Hne. He married Su- 
sanna, and had seven children. The survivors were : Keziah, 
born 29th August, 1735; Jonathan, born 28th December, 1742; 
Edward, born 9th March, 1744; Esther, born 11th May, 1747. 

2. Jonathan married Mar}' Partridge, and had : Susanna, 
Melatiah, Jason, Molly, Nathan ; 3, Jonathan, born 2d April, 
1773; Nathaniel. 

3. Jonathan, Jr., married Sarah Adams, and had: Nathan, 
married Sylvia Winne ; Susanna, married Hiram Clark, of Union, 
Conn.; Fanny, Sally, and Nathaniel married Eliza A. Weather- 
head. 

THE HILLS FAMILY. 

1. Jabez was the first settler in Franklin about 1730, on the 
"Warren Hills place. Whence he came is not known to the writer. 
He married in Wrentham 31st January, 1727, Martha Metcalf, 
and had : 2, Joseph, born 20th April, 1730 ; Benjamin, born IGth 
March, 1732; Ebenezer, born 7th January, 1735; David, born 
24th January, 1736. He died 18th January, 1742. 

2. Captain Joseph, married, first, Mary Ware, 14th February, 
1763 ; second, Betty Pond. They had: 3, Jason, born 23d No- 
vember, 1765; 4, Joseph, born 28th October, 1769; Mary mar- 
ried William Gilmore. He died 5th January, 1797. 

3. Jason married Molly Grover of North Bridgewater, and 
had: Nancy; 5, Lewis, born 5th September, 1794; 6, Seneca, 
born 26th April, 1796; Betsey Pond; AYarren, born 19th March, 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 2oO 

1800; 7, Harvey, born 13tli May, 1802; 8, Elias Ware, born 21st 
April, 1801 ; Polly and Caroline. He died 15th July, 1827. 

4. Joseph married Deborah Blake, sister of Solomon. They 
had: 9, Lysander Blake, born 26th August, 1796; 10, Jarvis 
Harlow, born 16th December, 1798; Mary, married Samuel Fales ; 
Olive Gilmore, married Capt. A. E. Daniels ; 11, Theron Clement, 
born 11th April, 1808, married Deborah Snow. 

5. Lewis, married Ann Lawrence, and had : Joseph G., and 
Louisa, who married Albert H. Ham, of Portsmouth, N. H. 

6. Seneca married, first, Maria Richardson of East Medwa^*, 
and had three children, of whom Abigail C. married E. L. Hol- 
brook, the well-known organ builder. He married second Sarah M. 
Pratt of South Easton, and had three children, two of whom now 
reside with their mother in Taunton. 

7. Harvey married, first, Abigail Henderson of Medway, and 
had three children; second Mary E. Ham of Portsmouth, N. H. 

8. Elias W., removed to Portland Me., and married Lois Smith ; 
lias three children. 

9. Lysander B., married Elizabeth Lumbert, and had : Melissa 
Elake, married Augustus M. Blake ; Deborah Elizabeth, married 
Hartwell Morse ; Sanford, married Mary C. Metcalf ; Mary Fales 
married first Reuben Crossley, second Wilham Banke. 

10. Jarvis H. married Phila Brown, and had no children. 

11. Theron C. married Hannah D. Snow, and had no children. 

THE JONES FAMILY. 

Da%nd Jones, petitioner for a precinct and its third treasurer, 
■was descended from David, of Dorchester, who married, 1659, Sa- 
rah Topliff, and died 27th September, 1694, aged 66. His son 
David married, 1685, Ann Bullard. David, Jr., his son, appears 
&st in Wrentham with his wife Sarah in 1711, where his six chil- 
<lren are recorded ; viz. : Ann, married Jonathan Nelson. Sarah. 
David, 3d. Praisiver. 2, Seth. Mary. He, Seth and Mary were 
members of the church. 

David, 3d, married Esther Blake, and had Chloe, Elias, and 
David. 2, Seth by his wife Esther had Esther and Betty. The 
whole family removed to Abington not long after the incorporation 
of the precinct. 



256 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

THE KINGSBURY FAMILY. 

1. Joseph, Dedham, 1637; married Melliscent and died 

1676. They had Sarah; married Robert Grossman, of Taimtou. 
Mary ; married Dea. Thomas Cooper, of Rehoboth. Elizabeth ; 
married Nathaniel Brewer, of Roxbnry. 2, Joseph, Jr., who 
went to Wrentliam. John ; married Elizabetli Fuller (afterwards 
wife of Michael Metcalf.) Eleazer, married Esther Judson. 3, 
Nathaniel. 

2. Joseph, Jr. ; married Mary Donier and had, born in Ded- 
ham : John. Elizabeth ; married William Briggs, of Tannton. 
Eleazer, born 12th May, 1673 ; tailor in Wrentham, who turned 
preacher, went to Cape Maj^ and changed his name to Beny. 
Hannah. Mary and Mercy (twins). Marah. 

3. Nathaniel; married Mary , and had Nathaniel, Jr., 

born 14th September, 1674 ; married Abigail Baker. She died at 
90. James. Timothy. John. 4, Daniel, born 11th November, 
1688. Melliscent. 

4. Daniel ; married Elizabeth Stephens, of Dedham. He died 
27th April, 1754. Their children were : 5, Daniel, born 12th March, 
1715. 6, Stephen, 1716. Elizabeth; married Joshua Partridge. 
Mary ; married Joseph Harding. 

5. Daniel, Jr., first deacon of Franklin church, married, first, Be- 
riah, daughter of Theodore Mann; she died 27th April, 1754; 
married, second, Abigail, widow of Peter Adams, 9th October, 1755. 
Their children were : Nathaniel, born 18th Februar}', 1739. 
Lydia, born 19th November, 1740 ; married Amos Holbrook. Dan- 
iel, born 1741 ; went to Keene, N. H. Samuel. John. 7, Tim- 
oth}', born 6th August, 1746. James, born 3d January, 1748 ; 
married Mary Upton, and was father of Rev. Samuel. (See bio- 
graphical sketches.) John. Theodore. By his second wife, Peter 
and Benjamin, twins. 

6. Stephen, married Silence, daughter of Samuel Partridge. He 
died 23d April, 1 754. Their children were : Moses and Aaron, born 
1743. Moses died 1771, leaving three children, namely: Cyrus, 
who married Philista Partridge ; went to Alstead, N. H., and was 
father of Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, D. D. B. U. 1812, and mis- 
sionaiy to the Choctaws. Moses, Matilda ; Lois married a Met- 
calf. Benjamin, Abigail ; Olive married Noah Haven. 8, Stephen 
posthumous, born 3d August, 1754. 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 257 

7. Timothy, married Judah Adams 5th January, 1769. lie 
died 21st December, 1824. Their children were : Judith, Mili- 
cent, Beriah ; P^benezer Adams, born 2d January, 1781. Eben- 
ezer A. was father of Fisher A., Lawton, Nathaniel Davis, Clar- 
issa, Polly, and Abner D. All have left town. 

8. Stephen, married Abigail Allen 3d June, 1777. He died 
23d September, 1809. She died 31st January, 1820. Their chil- 
dren were : Matilda, born 15th June, 1778 ; married John Wilkes 
Richardson. Horatio, died at 18. 9, Stephen, bornlOth Septem- 
ber, 1782. Abigail, born 11th August, 1787. Samuel Allen. (See 
biographical notices) . 

9. Stephen, married Olive Haven lOth April, 1811. Their chil- 
dren were: Horatio, born 29th February, 1812; married Adelia 
Robbins, daughter of .Tames and Rena Gilmore. John Haven, 
born 13th September, 1819 ; married Harriet S. Merrifield. 

THE LAWRENCE FAMILY. 

There were two petitioners of this name, David, Jr., and P^ben- 
ezer, both of them originating in "Wrentham. 

1. David, Sen., and Bethyah had David, Jr., born 3d Septem- 
ber, 1712. Bethyah, born 31st August, 1713; married Andre \v 
Blake 22d February, 1749. Phebe, born 25th March, 1715. 

2. David, Jr., married EHzabeth. They had ten children: 
Joseph, born 22d August," 1845. Isaiah, born 3d September, 1747. 
Eliakim) baptized in Franklin, 1750). Eunice; perhaps married 
Titus Metcalf, 8th May, 1793. Amos, born 15th January, 1755. 
Joseph, born 26th March, 1757 ; married Anna Hills 22d Janu- 
ar}-, 1784. Elizabeth, born 14th March, 1758. Joshua, born 11th 
September, 1759. David (baptized in Franklin, 1766) ; married 
Lois Reid. Cephas (baptized in Franklin, 1762) ; married Esther 
Whiting 26th November, 1789. This famil}- is not further trace- 
able. 

By another apparently diiferent line comes Ebenezer. Pie was 
a son of John. Ebenezer and Mary have seven children recorded : 
Sarah, born 30th May, 1709 ; married Isaac Wheeler 8th May, 
1734. Mary, born 25th May, 1711. John, born 27th June, 1713. 
Mercj', born 25th February, 1714. Margaret, born 5th July, 
1716. Hannah, born 30th May, 1719. Ebenezer, Jr., born 11th 
May, 1721. 

17 



258 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

Ebeiiezer, Jr., married Marj' Haws, 11th Februarj-, 1746. She 
died 9th Febrnar^', 1778, and he married, second. Widow Mary 
Harding. He had : Joshua, born 20th December, 1746. Moses, 
born 28th May, 1748. Abigail, born 14th June, 1749 ; married 
Elisha Richardson. Rachel, born 13th February, 1751 ; married 
Thaddeus Adams. Beria and Meria, born Uth January*, 1753; 
Beria married Dea. Phihp Blake 10th February, 1796. Meria 
married David Hartshorn 4th September, ] 788. Ebenezer and 
Rebecca, born 8th April, 1755. Seth 'baptized in Franklin, 1 757) . 
The father died 4th October, 1796. 

THE MAKEPEACE FAMILY 

made but a brief tarrying in town. It first appears in the maiv 
riage. 16th April, 1794, of William Makepeace and Mary Whiting. 
He settled in UnionA-ille, where he built a thread-mill with Col. A. 
DeWitt. A portrait of Mr. Makepeace is given in connection 
with this sketch. His homestead will be found with the Rock- 
wood family. The children of William and Mary Makepeace 
were: William, Jr., born 2d March, 1795, removed to Boston. 
Polly, born 18th May, 1798 ; married Archibald DeWitt. George 
Le Mont, born 17th October, 1801 ; removed to Rutland(?). 

THE MANN FAMILY; . 

The Franklin branch was descended from Rev. Samuel Mann, the 
first minister of Wrentham, through his sixth child, Thomas. For 
some notice of the family see Address, page 20. 

Thomas was born 24th October, 1682, married Hannah Aldis 
and had seven children. He was among the first settlers in Frank- 
lin, on what was called " Mann's Plain." A view of the Mann 
homestead has been furnished by Mrs. Rebecca M. (Pennell) 
Dean, sketched from her early recollections and is given oppo- 
site, as the birthplace of Horace Mann. 

The children of Thomas and Hannah Mann were : Hannah, 
married Eleazer Ware ; Esther, married Robert Ware ; Rachel ; 
3, Nathan, born loth October. 1716; Ruth, married Benjamin 
Rockwood; Hepzibah, married Pelatiah Metcalf; Mary, married 
Jabez Ware. 

3. Nathan married Esther, and had : Esther, Lois, Abial, 



260 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

has, born 20tli Jiil.y. 1720; Melatiah, married Joseph Ellis; 11, 
Joseph, born 20th February', 1723, a doctor; 12, John, born 25th 
September, 1725; 13, Ebenezer, also a doctor, born 1st June, 
1727; 14, James, born 1st August, 1729; Mary, married John 
Smith; Abiel, married Michael Ware ; Esther, mariied Asa Fisher. 

4. Samuel, married Judith George, 20th May, 1725, and had 
three sons and four daughters. Of these were : 15, George, born 
2d June, 1730 ; IG, John, born 3d July, 1734. 

6. Jonathan, married Hannah Clark, was deacon of Medway 
church. He had one son, 17, .Jonathan, and five daughters : Han- 
nah, Lois, Abigail, .Terusha. and Sarah. 

9. Michael married Hannah Adams l()th December, 1741. 
They had ten children, of whom the following survived : 18, Eli, 
born 14th October, 1742; 19, Philemon, born 14th April, 1752; 
20, Titus, born 23d April, 1754; 21, Hanan, born 6th October, 
1756; Moll3S married .John Merrifield; Achsa, married Simeon 
Partridge ; Patty, married Nathan Metcalf. 

10. Barnabas married Rebeka Healy, 5th March, 1745, and 
had seven children, of whom two are known to have had families 
in Franklin: 22, Asa, born 16th May, 1754; 23, Nathan, born 
26th February, 1765. 

11. Joseph married Hannah . They had six children, 

baptized in Franklin, viz.: Martha, Mehitable, Luther, Susanna, 
Calvin, and .Toseph. Of them no more is known. 

13. Ebenezer married Hannah Morse 27th November, 1755. 
He was the first physician in West Precinct (see biographical 
sketches). They had: Elijah, baptized 14th November, 1756; 
Polly, born 2Gth August, 1758; 24, Paul, born 7th March, 1766, 
(see biographical sketches) . 

14. James mai-ried Abial Haven. He was Colonel, and had 
seven children : 25, Billy, afterwards changed to William Haven, 
born 23d December, 1754; Jerusha, married Nathan Wight ; 26, 
James, born 11th August, 1755 (so recorded); .Juletta, married 
Capt. Asa Fairbanks ; Eliab, born 11th January, 1767; Abijah, 
born 19th October, 1770, and Polly. 

15. George married Joanna, daughter of Ezra Pond, 6th June, 
1751, and had ten children. The sons were: 27, Samuel, born 
21st May, 1753 ; 28, Timothy, born 27th November, 1754; 29, 
George, born 27th July, 1759. 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 261 

16. John, doctor, married Eunice Metcalf (see biographical 
sketches). They had: 30, Ferdinand, born 22d November, 
1760 (see biographical sketches); 31, WilUam Pitt, born 30th 
June, 1774 (see biographical sketches). 

17. Jonathan, Jr., married Bathsheba , and lived in 

North Franklin. He had seven children. Among them: 32. 
Jonathan, deacon of West Medway church, ])orn 20th April, 
1763. 

20. Titus married, first, Peggy Fisher, 13th November, 1783 ; 
second, Eunice Lawrence, 8th May, 1793. He was bUnd. He 
had: Peggy, born 12th September, 1791 ; Paul, born 28th Feb- 
ruary, 1796. 

21. Hanan married, first, Mary Allen, 21st October, 1779 ; 
second. Prudence Keith. He lived at the south end of the Com- 
mon. His children were: Judson, died young; Theron (see 
biographical sketches); Achsah, married Caleb Fisher. 

22. Asa married, first, Ruth Clark, 6th November, 1782 ; sec- 
ond Melia Ware, 12th March, 1788. They had : Mary ; Asa, Jr., 
born 4th April, 1786; Elivira married Luther Gowen ; Melia 
married Samuel Byram Fisher, and removed to Alstead, N. II. ; 
Artemas, died young. 

23. Nathan married Patty Metcalf, 18th September, 1788. 
She died 27th June, 1809, and he married Abigail Richardson 
28th June, 1810. He died 13th June, 1843. His children were : 
Harvey, born 13th June, 1789 ; Sena, married Rufus Miller ; 
Junia, born 20th July, 1794; Olive, married Seth Ward worth ; 
Nathan, born 26th March, 1799 ; 33, Michael, born 12th August, 
1802 ; Patty ; Roxana, died young ; Abigail R., died young ; Abi- 
gail Larinda ; 34, Richardson, born 3d June, 1818 ; Juliana. 

24. Dr. Paul (see biographical sketches) married Persis Rich- 
ardson 2d February, 1791. Had only: Persis, born 20th June, 
1792, married Maxcy Fisher 8th December, 1811. 

25. Billy, or William Haven, married Patty Richardson 14th 
Jan., 1776, and had : 35, Willard, born 3d February, 1777 ; Polly, 
died young ; Margaret, died young ; Patty, married John Crooks ; 
Ebenezer, died young; 36, William, "born 8th March, 1790 ; Abi- 
gail ; Mary, married Henry Daniels ; Elizabeth. 

26. Deacon James married Abigail Harding 1st April, 1778. 
The first maniage after incorporation of town. She died 3d 



262 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

Februar}', 1815, and he married widow Olive Gilmore. He died 
18th July, 1843. Their children were : 37, Whiting, born 31st 
January, 1779; Alfred (see biographical sketches); Eliab (see 
biographical sketches); .Julitta, married Capt. Samuel Allen of 
Medway ; Electa, unmarried. 

31. William Pitt, " Dr.," married Susanna Torrey, 25th No- 
vember, 1800, and had : John George, " Dr." (see biographical 
sketches) ; Mar}^ Elizabeth, married Hiram Stone ; William Torry, 
born 6th February, 1806 ; Ebenezer Tony, born 30th October, 
1812. 

32. Jonathan, deacon of the West Medway Congregational 

church, married Mary and had eight children, among them 

Eliel, born 14th July, 1803 ; Albert, born 20th September, 1808, 
(see biographical sketches) . 

33. Michael, Jr., married first Sally Clark, second Melia Breck, 
and had four children. 

34. Richardson, married first Mar}' A. Baker, second Harriet 
Metcalf. He lives on the old homestead. A view of it is given as 
it is to-day opposite the previous page. 

35. Willard married Lucy Allen 25th January, 1802, and had 
five children. One only survived, Charles, born 22d November, 
1810, who married Eliza Cook. 

36. William married Sail}' Gaskill 15th Januar}^ 1817, and had 
two sons : William Warren (see biographical sketches) and Alfred 
Gibbs. 

37. Whiting, deacon of Medway A'illage church, married Betsey 
Dean, October, 1804, and had eight children, of whom these sur- 
vived : Abijah Whiting, born 7th December, 1805 ; Gilbert Dean, 
born 17th April, 1807; Alfred Harding, born 27th April, 1817; 
Erasmus B., born 8th August, 1819 ; Charles Edwards, born 3d 
February, 1822. Betsey' Whiting married George F. Kingman, 
and resides in New Bedford. 

THE MILLER FAMILY 

has been substantiall}' given under the biographical sketches, but 
a view of the home of this family finds its appropriate place here 
among other households. The Miller Hospital will be found among 
the notices of Franklin physicians. The Miller family came from 
Rehoboth. Two sous of PhiUp, viz. ; Philip, Jr., and Nathaniel 



a 

> 

H 
X 




GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 263 

(see biographical sketches). Philip, married Lephe , and 

had several children. He was a man of some peculiarities, and 
one of the first and most ardent advocates of temperance. Both 
families are without representatives in town. 

THE MORSE FAMILY. 

Samuel, the petitioner of 1738, was descended through Dea. 
John, of Watertown, from Samuel, immigrant, of Dedham, 1637, 
and of whom the " Morse Genealogy " gives a full account. 

Samuel above was son of Samuel and Sarah Hill, of Wrentham, 
born 7th June, 17U2, and died 25th April, 1782. They had : Sam- 
uel, Jr. Benoni. Sarah; married Robert Worsely. Hannah; 
manied Dr. Ebenezer Metcalf. (See biographical sketches.) 
By second wife, Sarah Wheeler, he had Dinah : married Abijah 
Newton. Hannah. Submit ; married Abraham Amsden. 

Samuel, Jr., born 4th May, 1733; married Sarah Day. He 
died 3d June. 1798. She died 23d January, 1800. They had 
eleven children, of whom Samuel died in the army at Fort George, 
26th July, 1776. The others were : Jason ; Peggy ; married Syl- 
vester Partridge, of Franklin. Levi ; married Keturah Fisher. 
Hannah ; married Solomon Blake. 

Jason, born IDth October, 1762; married, first, Olive Blake. 

She died 19th November, 1790 ; married, second, Esther — , 

died 21st December, 1804 ; married, third, Miriam Smith, of Nor- 
ton. He had nine children : Ohve ; married Sydney Whiting. Ja- 
son, removed to Grafton. Harvey ; removed to Enfield. Lucy ; 
married PiamBullard. Joseph. George W. ; removed to Rutland, 
Vt. Amos H. ; removed to Syracuse, N. Y. Caroline : married 
Calvin Smith, and removed to Dorchester. 

Darius, who Hved in the rear of the old meeting-house, de- 
scended from the same Samuel, but through the line of Joseph 
and Hannah (PhiUips) , of Dorchester, via Jeremiah and i:Uza- 
beth, of Medfield, Benjamin and Sarah (Blake) of Wrentham, 
and Moses and Lydia (Daniels) of Wrentham. Darius, born 
29th May, 1769 ; married " Pede" or Experience Adams. They 
had nine children : Moses, married Lydia Thompson and removed 
to Middlefield, O. Rhoda, married Jedediah Pbipps, and had four 
children. The others died unmarried, or without issue, in rapid 
succession from consumption. 



264 HISTORY OF FEANKLIN. 

NEWE FAMILY. 

James, the petitioner, made api)urontly but a short stay in town, 
as I llnd few records of him or liis family either in Wrentham or 
Franklin. He Avas already married on arrival, and has only one 
birth entered. He is said to have been a grave-stone cutter, as 
was also his son John. Probably the longevity of the inhabitants 
compelled his withdrawal. His second wife lived over a century. 
Many anecdotes still survive her. She originated the sa3'ing of 
" trusting in Providence till her saddle-girth broke." 

James was son of John and Mary, born in Wrentham 8th July, 
1722, and married, first, Mary or Mere}', and afterwards Mrs. Sarah 
(Blake) Fisher of Keene, N. H. He had : Mercy, Mary ; James, 
born 3d September, 1751, and John, born 26th May, 1755. They 
probabh' returned to Wrentham. 

PARTRIDGE FAMILY 

came probably from Medfield, as two families of this name were 
among the earl}' settlers of Medfield — William and John, and 
none of the names appears in Wrentham earlier than 1711. Three 
families were in Franklin in 1738 — Ebenezer, Job, and Samuel. 
The children of these so far as recorded at Wrentham were : Of 
Job and Abigail, Benoni, born 24th March, 1727. His wife died 
1st April following, and he married Ann Cook 28th February, 
1729. Had Jobe, died at 12 years. Anna first and second; 
Rhoda died at 7 years. Seth born 20th March, 1737. Levi, 22d 
September, 1739. Of this family no more is known. Their stones 
are the oldest legible in the Central cemetery. 

Of Ebenezer and Elizabeth, Elizabeth died in her 8th year. 
Hannah married probabh' David Wood 8th Ma}', 1771 ; and Abi- 
gail married John Allen 11th Jul}-, 1771, and this family also 
ends. 

Samuel and Maiy. He died 25th December, 1774. She died 
29th July, 1775. They had: Samuel; Amos, born 25th July, 
1742, " Lieutenant," and married Melitiah ; Reuben, born 14th 
April, 1744, and married Mary Hill, 7th April, 1768. Mar}' mar- 
ried Jonathan Hawes 5th March, 1764. Rhoda; David, born 
22d July, 1750 ; died November, 1781. Elizabeth, born 8th Oc- 
tober, 1752. 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 265 

Samuel, Jr., born 31st March, 1741, married Keziah Hawes 2d 
Februarj-, 1764, but no children have been found. He died 28th 
January, 1776. 

The Partridges appearing later cannot be traced to any of these 
parental nests. They may have alighted from Medway. 

Eleazer and Lois Rockwood had : Mehitable, born 29th Ma^-, 
1779 ; Kezia, born 10th September, 1780 ; Eleazer, Jr., and Itha- 
mar, born 27th May, 1782 (latter died 7th April, 1807) ; Nathan. 
born 1st August, 1786 ; Asa, married Polly Richardson ; no chil- 
dren. 

Phineas, Jr., married, first, Abigail, and had: Allen, born 18th 
January, 1804; Abigail Harding, married, G. Welhngton Hunt of 
Medway ; Elmira ; Dianthe ; Clarissa Prentiss married Rev. A. 
Hawes (see biographical sketches) . He married, second, Polly 
"Wheeler and had : Asa, born 7th August, 1820 ; John Wheeler, 
born 5th January, 1822 ; Charles, born 2d February, 1831. 

Nathan married Sail}' Bassett 12th January-, 1815, and had 
Julitta Richardson ; Mary Bassett ; George Ithamar ; Harriet 
Maria, married Miller of Providence, R. I. ; Charlotte. 

Eleazer, Jr., married, first, Mary . She died 16th Decem- 
ber, 1812, and he married Hannah Keith. He had : Mary Clark, 
married Rev. W. Phipps (see biographical sketches) ; Lois Rock- 
wood ; Sylvia Pond, married Joseph Lovell of Medwa}'. By second 
wife he had Julia Ann, Eliza Jane, and Harriet Keith. 

Elisha of Medfield, who resided in Franklin during his life and 
married Dorcas Pond, had six children, five of whom migrated to 
Maine. Simeon, the oldest, born 19th Ma}', 1758, remained and 
married Achsa, daughter of Michael Metcalf. He died 7th Jan- 
uary', 1825. She died 15th December, 1819. They had: Achsa, 
married Alpheus Adams ; Rena, married James Gilmore ; Miriam, 
married Simeon Powers of Croyden ; Hannah, married David W. 
Daniels. 

THE POND FAMILY.* 

1. Daniel, immigrant ancestor of all the Ponds in Franklin, ap- 
pears first in Dedham, 1652 ; bought lands in Wrentham, 1663, on 
which some of his sons settled. He married, first, Abigail, daugh- 



* From a Genealogy compiled by E. D. Harris, Saratoga, N. Y. For con- 
venient reference the same figures are used as in the " Genealogy." 



266 HISTORY OP pRANKLtN. 

ter of Edward Shepard, of Cambridge ; second, Ann Edwards. 
She died 6th June, 1732, aged about 92. He died in Dedham, 
4th February, 1698. He had thirteen children, of whom three 
sons lived in Wrentham : 4, John ; 5, Ephraim, baptized 6th 
July, 1656 ; 9, Robert, born 5th August, 1667. 

4. John settled in North Franklin, afterwards set off to Med- 
way ; was thrice married, and was living in 1734; had nine chil- 
dren; two only appear to have lived in Franklin. 15, John, born 
about 1688; 17, David, born 2d April, 1690. 

5. Ephraim, a carpenter, married Deborah, daughter of Edward 
and Eleony (Lumber) Hawes. He died 22d December, 1704, and 
she married a Bacon. Had nine children : 26, Daniel, born 22d 
September, 1689, died unmariied ; 27, Deborah, born 13th Sep- 
tember, 1693, and married Daniel Thurston; 28, Samuel, born 
29th December, 1695; 29, Eleon}-, born 15th August, 1704, and 
married John Shepard, of Foxboro, who lived a hundred years 
and in four towns without moving. 

9. Robert, Captain, and carpenter, lived near Mine Brook. He 
married, first, Joanna Lawrence; second, Abigail Fisher; third, 
widow Sarah Shuttleworth. He had nine children: 35, Anne, 
born 2d October, 1689, married John Partridge, of Medfield; 40, 
Ezra ; 41, Ichabod, born 31st May, 1699 ; 42, Baruch, born 1702 ; 
43, Eunice, married John Goldsbury. 

15. John had lands at " long walk" in Franklin. He married 
Rachel Fisher. He died 12th March, 1759. She died 15th Feb- 
ruary, 1770. Had six children: 56, John, born 29th February, 
1*723; 57, Daniel, born 13th May, 1724; 58, Benjamin, born 15th 
June, 1726. 

17. David lived also at "long walk," and was of uncommon 
height and strength, hence, perhaps, he pitched the tune so high 
(see page 31). He was founder of the West Medway church. He 
married Sarah Richardson, and died 24th March, 1775. Had seven 
children: 60, David, went to Keene, N. H.; 61, Stephen, re- 
moved to Attleboro; 63, Ebenezer, born 4th Julj^, 1728. 

26. Daniel, had land at " long walk ; " no record of his mar- 
riage. 

28. Samuel, lived at Mine Brook ; married Mary Thurston. 
He died 6th April, 1746. She afterwards married Dea. John Bar- 
ber, Medway. Had nine children, but three ouh' lived in Frank- 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 267 

lin: 87, Samuel, born 22cl June, 1729. 89, Bathsheba, born 9th 
August, 1734 ; married Jonathan Metcalf, J]". 90, Timothy, 
born 13th August, 1737. 

40. Ezra, town clerk of AVrenthara. lived at first on the home- 
stead ; married first Abigail Farrington, second Margaret, widow 
of Eleazer Metcalf. He died after 1782. Had eleven children, 
all by first wife. 101, Robert, born 2d February, 1720. 102. 
Ezra, born 26th March, 1721. 103, Abigail, born 29th Septem- 
ber, 1723; married first a Peter Adams, second Dea. Daniel 
Kingsbury. 104, Oliver, born 22d March, 1725. 105, Reuben, 
born iGth January, 1727. 106, James, drowned in Charles river, 
1789. 107, Joanna, born 2d August, 1730 ; married George Met- 
calf. 108, Hezekiah, born 17th March, 1733. Ill, Elijah, born 
3d February, 1739. 

41. Ichabod, lived near Mine Brook. He married first Milcah 
Farrington, second Deborah Thurston, third Mehitable, widow of 
John Aldis. He died 2d May, 1783. Had twelve children : 113, 
Elisha, born 25th March, 1725. 115, Nathan, went to Walpole. 
117, Benjamin, born 21st March, 1732. 120, Lois, marriedHenry 
Daniel. 121, Jonathan, went to Keene, N. H. 122, Eli, born 
16th February, 1743. 

42. Baruch, a " chief man " in Franklin ; married Abigail Slo- 
cum. He died 8th March, 1765. She died 30th August, 1778. 
Had nine children. 124, Timoth}', born 15th September, 1729. 
(See graduates.) 125, Lydia, born 14th April, 1731 ; married 
Thomas Bacon, 3d. 127, Jerusha. born 20th October, 1735; 
married David Fisher. 129, Bett}', born 8th January, 1740 ; mar- 
ried Capt. Joseph Hills. 132, Asa, born 1747. 

56. John, lived in North Franklin ; was a founder of the West 
Medway church, and a ruling elder. He married Dinah Metcalf 
and died 10th April, 1777. His widow married Lieut. Hezekiah 
Fisher. He had five children : 154, Malchiah, born 30th Septem- 
ber, 1746. 157, John, born 20th August, 1752; not married; 
was a Revolutionary soldier. 

57. Daniel. (See list of college graduates.) 

58. Benjamin, married Mary Park, of Hopkinton. He died 
22d February, 1787. Had eight children : was in the Revolu- 
tionary war. 165, Benjamin, born 1st October, 1757. 166, Bar- 



268 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

zillai, bom 27th July, 1759. 167, Elihu, born 16th May, 1763. 
168, Rachel, iiiarried Amos "Ware and died in 1818. 

63. Ebenezer, married Freelove , and had ten children. 

Removed to Oswego, N. Y., and died there March, 1821. Was 
a Revolutionary soldier. 

178. Penuel, born 23d November, 1757 ; not married. Was 
in the war. 180, Jane, married Eleazer Perry, and died 27th 
April, 1856. 

72. Joseph, married Mary Newland, and died 21st November, 
1773. She married Joseph Day. Had four children : 188, Oliver 
Newland, born 18th March, 1769. 189, Darius, removed to 
Alstead, N. H., and then West. 190, Joseph. Not known further. 

87. Samuel, a founder of the West Medway church, married 
Hannah Johnson, of Uxbridge, and died 24th April, 1806. Had 
nine children: 197, Samuel, born 15th November, 1753; not 
married. (See Revolutionary soldiers) . 199, WiUiam, born 23d 
March, 1758. 200, Paul, born 11th May, 1760. (See Revolu- 
tionar}' soldiers.) 202, Mar^', married Benajah Pond. 203, Eliza- 
beth, born 6th January, 1767 ; married Lewis (281). 204, 
Henry, joined the " N. W. Fur Co.," and died on his way to 
Canada. 205, Jemima, born 20th December, 1771 ; married 
Oliver (259). 

90. Timothy, married Sarah Cutler, and died 27th October, 
1776. She died 23d March, 1816. He was a Revolutionary 
soldier. He had five children : 206, Sarah, married first, Ichabod 
Hawes, second Jeremy Leland, of Holliston. 208, Timothy, 
born 14th January, 1769. 209, Esther, married Oliver N. (188). 
210, Cutler, born 24th August, 1774. 

101. Robert; his house is now occupied by Jefferson Daniels, 
and is one of the oldest in town. He married first Rachel Adams, 
second Rebecca. He died 15th September, 1801. Had seven 
children : 235, Sarah, married John Ellis. 237, Robert, born 
29th December, 1755. 

102. Ezra, " Ensign," married, first, Sarah Morse, of Wrent- 
ham, second, Mercy Baker, of Bellingham. In 1771 he removed 
to Hubbardston, and died there in 1802. Had eight children, born 
in Franklin : 244, Joseph, born 12th May, 1756, and removed 
to Hubbai'dston. (See Revolutionary soldiers.) 

104. Oliver; sold his farm to David Daniels, now the Rock- 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 269 

wood estate, and re-bought the farm and built the bouse now 
occupied by Goldsbury Pond, at Unionville. He married Anne, 
daughter of Samuel Metcalf; died 14th December, 1800. She 
died 31st of July, 1817. Had twelve children : 252, Judith, mar- 
ried Asa Pond (132). 253, Chloe, married Ichabod Dean. 257, 
Edna, mai'ried Seth Dean. 260, Goldsbur}', born 28th September, 
1770. 261, Anne, not married. 263, Samuel Metcalf, born 16th 
November, 1777. (See graduates.) 

108. Hezekiah married Lois . He died 8th December, 

1822. Had eight children : 267, Benajah, born date unknown ; 
273, Jeremiah Metcalf, born 12th February, 1781. 

111. Elijah, " Captain," left Franklin in 1785 for Grafton, and 
died in Torrington, Conn., in 1830. His fine farm in Franklin 
was sold mainlj- to Elisha Bullard. He married, first, Margaret, 
daughter of Eleazer Metcalf; second, Mehitable, daughter of Dr. 
Silas Pratt of Wrentham. (See Revolutionary soldiers.) Had 
thirteen children, none of whom settled in Franklin. 

113. Elisha, carpenter, married first Phebe Ware, second Me- 
hitable Cheever. He died 30th May, 1796. Had ten children: 
300, Ehsha, born 21st February, 1749. •' Doctor." (See grad- 
uates.) 306, Apollos, born 12th June, 1764. (See Revolution- 
ar}' soldiers.) 308, Jemotis, born 23d October, 1772. 

117. Benjamin, married Lois Partridge of Medway, and died 
27th December, 1809. Had nine children: 315, Amos, born 
19th June, 1758, not married. (See Revolutionary soldiers.) 
316, Meletiah, married Abijah Clark; 317, Ichabod, born 22d 
February, 1762; 318, Ziba, born 27th February, 1764; 319, 
Leonard, born 14th February, 1767 ; 320, Nathan, born 20th 
April, 1769 ; 321, Lois, married David Lawrence ; 322, Benjamin, 
born 23d October, 1773. 

122. Eli (see Revolutionary soldiers), born and died in 
Franklin, but lived also in Holliston, Medway and Bellingham. 
He married Iluldah Hill, and died 20th May, 1802. Had twelve 
children: 333, Eli, born 17th November, 1769; 337, Eliab, born 
1st October, 1779, not married; 340, Lucinda, married Eliakim 
Morse and went to Oakham; 342, Asa Aldis, born 19th Febra- 
ar}', 1792. 

132. Asa, " Captain" and first town clerk of Frankhu, bought 
the farm of Perez Cushing on Mine Brook. In 1792 sold to Levi 



270 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN, 

Fisher and ultimately removed to Petersham. (See Revolution- 
ary soldiers.) He married Judith Pond, daughter of Oliver, 104, 
and had six children. 

154. Malchiah (see Revolutionar}' soldiers) married Ruth 
Fisher, and died 14th March, 1804. Had five children. 391, Otis, 
bora 26th December, 1771 ; 392, Lewis, born 3d July, 1773 ; 395, 
Malcliiah, born 17th October, 1787. 

165. Benjamin (see ReA'olutionary soldiers), married Catherine 
Cutler, and had eleven children. He finally moved to Hopkinton 
and died there in 1845. 396, John, born 21st February, 1783, 
became a physician in Mendon. 339, Benjamin, born 4th April, 
1789. (See graduates.) 401, Hiram went to Salem. 

166. Barzillai (see Revolutionary soldiers) married Melli- 
cent, daughter of Captain Asa and Sarah Fairbanks. In 1804 he 
removed to West Medway and died in 1823. (See Revolutionary 
soldiers.) Had five children : 407, Sarah, married Baruch Pen- 
niman, the father of Daniel T. 

167. Elihu (see military) married first Polly, daughter of John 
Boyd, second Jemima, daughter of Elisha and Mary (Pond 91) 
Cutler, third Marena Allen. He was Justice of the Peace and 
esteemed for his piet}- . He had ten children : Polly Boyd, married 
David P. Blake ; Elihu, went to Paxton ; Emily, still in Frank- 
lin ; Edward, died in Illinois ; Joseph Parks, went to Newton ; 
James Sullivan is in Salem; and Elizabeth, in West Brookfield. 

188. Oliver Newland married Esther Pond (209), lived at the 
Center, and died 26th January, 1845. She died 28th February, 
1847. The}* had five children : 447, Adela, married Samuel Pay- 
son of llolliston; 448, Nathaniel Ogden, died unmarried; 449, 
Increase Sumner, born 21st July, 1801 ; 450, Esther, married 
George AV. Morse of Rutland, Vt. 

199. AVilliam married Mary Hide of Medway and died 21st 
July, 1843. Had five children, none remained in town. 

200. Paul (see Revolutionary soldiers) married Callej^ Dexter 
of Medway, and had a son born in Franklin. 470, Paul Dexter, 
born 20th May, 1784. He went to Sudbury, Vt., and died in 
Richmond, O., iu 1843. 

208. Timoth}', Lieutenant, married Rachel Adams of Medway. 
He died 17th June, 1829. Had nine children: 477, Justin, born 
6th July, 1791 ; 476, Timothy Leland, born 27th September, 1794 ; 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 271 

479, Sylvia, not married; 480, Amanda, married Samuel Haskell, 
and had six children; 481, Clarissa Ann, not married ; 482, Ly- 
man P., born 26th October, 1805, went to West Medway ; 483, 
Abel, born 8th October, 1808, and removed to Holliston; 484, 
Gilbert C. (see graduates) . 

210. Cutler, Major, married first Hannah Wood, second Lydia 
Temple of Holliston. He died 3d April, 1857. Had three chil- 
dren : 486, Clarinda, married Melville Knapp ; 487, John Preston, 
went to Randolph, Vt. ; 488, Hannah Cutler, married George W. 
Nason. 

237. Robert (see Revolutionarj' soldiers) married Olive Rich- 
ardson, and died 19th October, 1839. Had ten children: 549, 
Calley, married Amos BuUard, no children; 550, Martin, born 
3d October, 1783; 551, Olive, married Samuel Morse of Waldo- 
boro. Me.; 552, Lewis, born 29th August, 1790; 557, James 
Preston, born 2d August, 1800. 

260. Goldsbur}', married Priscilla Fisher of Medwa}'. He died 
9th December, 1866. Had three children: 602, Goldsbury. Jr., 
born 27th Januar}', 1798; 603, Erasmus, born loth October, 1800; 
604, Juline, not married. 

267. Benajah, " captain" of artillery, married, first, Mary Pond, 
202; second, Sybil Clark. In 1820 went to Crown Point, N. Y., 
and died there in 1857. Had ten children, seven born in Franklin : 
625, Willard, born 11th November, 1791 ; 626, Roxena, married 
Jeremiah Claflin ; 630, Benajah, went to North Hudson, N. Y. 

273. Jeremiah M. married Poll}- Morse, and died 2d June, 
1827. Had five children : 635, Lyman, went to Valley Falls, R. 
I.; 637, Asa, born 4th January, 1815, went to Milford; 638, Eliab 
Metcalf, born 8th October, 1819. 

308. Jemotis lived on the homestead. He married Sally Gil- 
more, and in 1832 Miranda Thurston. He died 20th April, 1843, 
from a fall. Had seven children : 725, Jemotis, died without issue 
in Medway in 1847; 726, Hiram, born 11th August, 1798; 727, 
Sumner, born 24th August, 1800, went to Milford; 728, Gilmore, 
born 12th May, 1803, lived in Natick ; 729, Sally, born 1st May, 
1807, married Wm. Barnard in Medwa}- ; 730, Elizabeth G., born 
7th February, 1810, married a Bellows, and left town. 

320. Nathan married first Rachel Clark, second widow Olive 
(Penniman) Marsh. He died 3d September, 1850. Had four 



272 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

children : 742, Nathan Clark, born 18th April, 1798, and removed 
to Medwaj; 743, Rachel, married Charles F. Knapp, of Medway ; 

744, Nelson, born 0th January, 1803, and removed to Holliston; 

745, Alfred, born oOth March, 1806, and left town. 

322. Benjamin married Lj'dia, daughter of Timothy Ellis. 
Died 3d December, 1844. Had six children : 747, Benjamin 
Davis, born 21st January, 1805; 749, Miranda Ellis, married 
Lyman P. White ; 750, Charlotte, married Daniel T. Penniman. 

333. Eli married, first, Hannah Daniels, of Holliston ; second, 
Ruth (Wiswell) , widow of Dr. Daniel Bullard, of Holliston. He 
died 16th October, 1846. Had three children, who left town. 

342. Asa Aldis removed to Calais, Me., and married. He died 
at Ellsworth, Me. , 1 4th October, 1853. His daughter, Huldah A., 
married Hon. Hari'ison Tweed, of Taunton. 

449. Increase S. married Clarinda, daughter of Nathan and 
Hannah Allen, and died in Bellingham 20th February, 1840. Had 
three children, who died j^oung. 

477. Justin married Ruth D. Perry, and died 19th October, 
1«42. Had ten children, of whom Justin Eli, Lydia, P^llis, Tim- 
othy and Ah'in D. went to Medwaj" ; Alexander De Witt, to Trout 
Creek. N. Y. Edwin Cutler alone remains in Franklin. 

478. Timoth}' Leland, " Captain," married Abigail Fisher. He 
died 24th May, 1836. Had four children: Silvia, born 14th 
May, 1821 ; George L., who lives in Medwaj', and Edmund F., in 
Vineland, N. J. 

550. Martin married Amy Elderkin, of Windham, Conn. Had 
seven children. One only lived in town : Henry Bowen, married 
Ann Maria (Bent). He died 1st Ma,j, 1855, leaving one child, 
Inez Etta. 

553. Lewis, married Nancy Ware,' of Dedham. No children. 

557. James Preston, married Sukie, daughter of Seth and Olive 
Whiting, and removed to Waldoboro, Me., but returned to Frank- 
lin. Had five children. 

602. Goldsbury, Jr., married Julia Ann, daughter of Seth 
Harding, and has had eleven children : Anna Metcalf, married J. 
Francis Atwood. of Philadelphia. She is now a widow in Frank- 
lin. Goldsbury Harding ; married and resides out of town. Eras- 
mus AUington. (See graduates.) Edwin James ; Oliver Dean ; 
Metcalf Everett. (See biographical notices.) 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 273 

603. Erasmus married Ruth M. Snow and died ITtli October, 
1828. She married Dr. Shadrach Atwood, of BelUngham(H. U., 
1830,) and now lives in town. They have no children. 

625. Willard, married Sally, daughter of Aaron Hills, Belling- 
ham. He died 22d April, 1844, leaving one child, Sarah Maria, 
who married John Gushing of Medway. All are dead. 

726. Hiram married Joanna M. Fales, of Attleboro. He died 
22d April, 1857. Had six children : Jane EUzaheth, married 
Benjamin G. Seekel and went to Providence. Harriet M. mar- 
ried lirst James B. Wilson of Medway, second Addison S. Shep- 
ard of Franklin. James Hiram married Mar}' Ann, daughter of 
Adin and Mary Fisher. Emory married Sarah J. Wyatt, of 
Bristol, R. I. Almira L. 

745. Alfred married first Almira Lovering, second Louisa 
Fisher. He died 25th January, 1848. Had three children ; none 
in town. This once large famil}^ has almost disappeared from 
Franklin. 

THE RAY FAMILY 

came into Franklin in 1839. The}' immediately began an active 
business at Unionville, as described under the head of Industries. 
The three sons are Joseph G., James P. and Frank B. A portrait 
of Joseph G. Ray is given on the preceding page. That of James 
P. Ray will be found among the Centennial Connuittee. A view 
of their two residences, contiguous to each other, is in the notices 
of professional men. Frank B. Ray occupies the Makepeace 
house, as will be seen in notices of the Rockwood family. 

THE RICHARDSON FAMILY.* 

The immigrant ancestor of this familv, John, settled in the 
present Medway. He married Rebecca, daughter of Joseph and 
Alice Clark, 1st May, 1679, and had seven children. After his 
death, 29th May, 1697, the widow married John Hill of Sherborn. 
She died 17th February, 1739. The children were: 2, John; 
Elizabeth, died unmarried; Daniel ; Joseph ; Mehitable ; Benja- 
min ; Rebecca, married Eleazer Hill. 

2. John, born 25th August, 1679, married probably a daughter 

* Compiled from Rev. J. A. Vinton's Genealogy. 
18 



274 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

of John Breck of Medfield and had twelve children. He died 
19th May, 1750. His wife died at 95. Of his children were: 
Sarah, married Da\4d Pond of Franklin; 3, John; Jonathan, af- 
terwards of Brookfield ; Esther ; Joseph of Uxbridge ; Samuel of 
Wrentham; Solomon of Brookfield; Moses; Asa, the miller, at 
Rockvillc ; David of Barre. A widel3'-scattered household at last. 

3. John, the ancestor of the Franklin branch, settled in North 
Franklin, his father huj'ing for him fifty-three acres of wild land 
now forming part of the farm of S. W. Richardson, Esq. He 
married Jemima, daughter of Edward Gay, his neighbor on the 
south. He was born 22d October, 1701, and died 5th November, 
1767. She died 2Gth December, 1782. They had seven children : 
4, Timoth}-; 5, John; Jerusha, married Nathaniel Fisher of Wrent- 
ham ; P^lizabeth, married Aaron Kingsbury; 6, Ehsha ; 7, Eli. 

4. Timothy, born 31st July, 1731, married first Mehitable 

, second Betty . He lived on the Phineas Partridge 

farm, and had eight children, of whom were : 8, Amasa ; Sceva ; 
Ziba, and Timothy, Jr. 

5. John, born 19th June, 1735, married Abigail Haven, cousin 
of the minister; was a carpenter. He died 4th May, 1809. She 
died 11th February, 1820. His house forms the eastern or right 
hand part of the present residence of S. W. Ivichardson, Esq., 
a view of which is given on the opposite page. It is beautifully 
situated on the road to Medway tillage, and commands a fine 
view of the town towards the south. John and Abigail had four 
children : Jerusha, married William Slocumb, and afterwards went 
to Sutton ; Olive, married Robert Pond; L^'dia Haven, married 
Amasa (8); 9, John Wilkes. 

6. Elisha, born 5th July, 1743, married Abigail Lawrence. 
He and his brother Eli bought the farm of Richard and Jemima 
Puffer who had received it in 1691, which has since been the home- 
stead of the family. He was a cabinet-maker, supplying all the 
voung couples with their first furniture for miles around. He died 
15th March, 1798. She died M October, 1827. They had seven 
children : Polly, married Asa Partridge ; Julia, married Nathan 
Adams; Abigail, married Nathan Metcalf; Nancy, married Dan- 
iel, brother of Nathan Adams ; Jemima, married Captain David 
Baker; 10, Ehsha, Jr. 

7. Eli, born 5th August, 1745, married Mehitable Farrington, 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 275 

of Wrentham. He sold his half of the farm to his brother Elisha, 
and bought the present cit}' mills, where he resided. lie had four 
children: John, died young; Sally, married John Torry, Jr.; 
11, Eli, Jr. ; Mehitable, married Josiah Ware, of Wrentham. 

8. Amasa, son of Timothy, born 29th December, 1761; mar- 
ried his cousin, Lydia Haven, and lived near Davis Tha3'er'8. 
He died 17th of March, 1838 ; she died April following. They 
had four children : Eliab, married Lydia Bent, of Middleboro, 
and went to Maine. 12, Eli Milton; Elrastus (see biographical 
sketches) ; Eleanor, married, first, Samuel Miller, of Rehoboth, 
second, Calvin Turner, of Sharon, and now resides in that town. 

9. Capt. John Wilkes, born 30th December, 1774; the first 
child with a middle name baptized in Franklin. He married 
Matilda Kingsbury. He taught a public school thirty-one con- 
secutive years, and filled many town offices. He had three chil- 
dren: Abigail, married No3'es Payson llawes, and removed to 
Maine. John Haven, married Louisa Pike and had Matilda. 13, 
Stephen Wilkes. 

10. EUsha, Jr., born 17th August, 1790 ; married, first, Ruth, 
daughter of Levi Fisher, second, Harriet, daughter of Timothy 
and Julia (Dean) Blake. He died 14th June, 18G6. He was 
a very upright and faithful citizen. He had : Ruth, Maria, 
Julietta ; Clarissa Da}-, married Dea. Peter Adams ; Elisha 
Fisher, married Olive D. Ware, and removed to Long Island ; 
Abigail M. ; Nancy Adams, married Francis J. Adams. He had 
by second wife : Charles A. and Albert D. (See biographical 
sketches.) 

11. EH, Jr., born , 1781; married Chloe Lindlej' 1st 

Januar}', 1809, but had no children. He was the first postmaster 
in town, built the city factor}', and was a prominent citizen in 
his community. 

12. Eli Milton, born 24th December, 1791 ; married Melita 
Norcross, and lived on the paternal farm near the Center. She 
died 13tli September, 1844, and he married Lydia Eaton, of Fram- 
ingham. He die:l 3d January', 1875. Their children were : Em- 
eline Melita, married Gilbert Partridge, of Medwa}'. Harriet 
Newell, married first Charles Wiuslow, second Rev. Edward F. 
Dickinson, of Chicago, 111. WilUam Tyler, Albert Milton. (See 
biographical sketches.) Julia; Ilolbrook. 



276 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

13. Stephen Wilkes, bora 30th March, 1813 ; received a thor- 
ough academic education and taught school for several years ; 
was the flrst bookkeeper of the Boston Journal^ in 1834. He has 
been Representative, United States Internal Revenue Assessor 
for ten years, and trial justice since 1871, besides filling nearly- all 
our miuiicipal offices. His portrait is inserted opposite. Esquire 
Richardson married, first, Eliza A. Bullard, of Medway, and sec- 
ond, her sister, Mary Bullard, and has had five children, of whom 
survive John Warren, on the paternal estate, and Henry Bullard, 
Professor at Amherst college. (See biographical sketches.) 

ROCKWOOD FAMILY.* 

1. Richard, of Dorchester, 1G3C, and next of Braintree. Had 
Nicholas, John, and Lydia, married Edward Adams, of Medfield. 
2, Nicholas, his son, removed to Medfield and afterwards to Med- 
way. He died 2Gth Januar^^ 1680. Had eight children. Samuel, 
deacon. 2, Benjamin, born 8th September, 1651, and removed to 
Wrentham. Josiah ; EUzabeth, married John Partridge, Jr.; 
Joseph married Hannah Partridge; John, called "Rev.," 3, 
Nathaniel, born 23d February, 1665, and removed to Wrentham, 
and was deacon there. Isaac. 

2. Benjamin, who discovered the Indians at Indian Rock ; mar- 
ried Judith. He died at Wrentham 5th December, 1747, in his 
97th year, but was one of the West precinct members. He had 
five children: Mary, born 2d October, 1683; married Samuel 
Fisher of Wrentham and died 12th April, 1763. 

3. Nathaniel, brother of Benjamin and deacon of Wrentham 
church ; married Joanna Ellis. He died 24th September, 1721. 
He had seven children : Margaret, born 4th September, 1699 ; 
married Ebenezer Metcalf. Nathaniel, born 9th December, 1700 ; 
married Margaret Phipps. 4, Benjamin, born 28th March, 1703 ; 
married first Mehitable Thompson, second Ruth Man, second 
daughter of Rev. Samuel Man. She died 9th November, 1711, 
aged 91. Hannah, born 9th October, 1707 ; married Thomas Law- 
rence. Abigail, born 8th June, 1714 ; married Josiah Blake. 

4. Benjamin, lived at Mine Brook Valley (Unionville). He 
died October, 1774. She died 11th November, 1811. Had eleven 

* Compiled from a genealogy by Rev. A. Morse. 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 277 

children : Keziah, married Francis Daniels, Mehitable, born 25th 
October, 1734; married Timothy Richardson. Lois, born 4th 
June, 1744; married Eleazer Partridge. Samuel, born lOtli May, 
1746 ; married Sarah Richardson. 5, Timothy, born 14th IVIarch, 
1748-9, married Sarah Phillips, of Bellingham. Elisha, settled 
in North Wrentham, and died 1st December, 1831. Rachel, 
born 26th April, 1756 ; married Elisha Bullard. Eunice, born 
31st July, 1758 ; married Samuel Blake. 

5. Timothy, lived and died on the paternal estate at ITnion- 
ville, where he opened a grocery store in 1782, and added a 
drug store, the first in the town, which drew customers far and 
wide. The store has been continued in the family ever since 
by his son Asa, and grandson Erastus, and William, the ])resent 
proprietor. It has been, too, on or very near the original site, 
and still maintains its character for upright dealing. Timothy 
died 4th December, 1841, in his 94th year. Ilis wife died '^Oth 
March, 1827. He had four children : Sally, died unmarried ; 
6, Asa, born 25th March, 1787 ; Nathan, born 9th January, 1798, 
married Hannah Miller, and lived on King street. 

6. Asa, married Julia, daughter of Abijah and Rachel Thurs- 
ton, and carried on the paternal store until his death. He had 
seven children : Erastus, born 17th August, 1813 ; married 
first, Mary Ann, daughter of Joel Daniels, second, Louisa Morse ; 
died a few years since. Julia Ann, died at 18. Abijah Thurston, 
born 24th March, 1820; married Sarah M. Peck; he died 
recently. Susan Bailey, married Francis B. Ray ; they reside 
at Unionville, in the house formerly built by William Makepeace, 
a view of which is given opposite. William, born 16tli July, 
1827, and married Laura Matilda, daughter of Ira and Laura 
Blake ; his portrait is given as one of the Centennial Committee ; 
they have three children, sons. 

THE SHUTTLEWOKTH FAMILY 

had but two male representatives — Ebenezer in the precinct and 
Vincent in the church — and but three females in the latter. Only 
three families appear in the Wrentham records. Benjamin and 
Sarah (whose second child was " born in Stonintown," and 
" Vinsaint " and Sarah), who had : Sarah, born 24th April, 1722 ; 
Vincent, born 16th December, 1727; Marcy, born 11th February, 



278 HISTORY OF^ FRANKLt^f. 

1736. Ebenezer and Ruth, of the West Precinct liad : Ebenezer, 
Jr., born 16th February, 1753 ; and Elizabeth, 2d April, 1757. 
The name thereafter disappears from the })arish. 

THE SLOCUM FAMILY 

had an equally brief stay, removing mostly, it seems, to Medway. 
Simon, Avhile he staid, was a pi-ominent member of the precinct 
and filled many offices. John was a member of the church. 
They- were probably brothers, as the similarity of their children's 
names indicates a common ancestry. Thus, Simon by his wife 
Abigail had : Samuel, Chloe, Eleazer, Metcalf, and Jeremiah. 
There is no record except of their baptism. John married Ex- 
perience Ilealy and had : Simon, Billy, George, John, Experience, 
and Chloe. John carried part of his family to Sutton, Simon 
to Medway. 

Billy or William, born 22d April, 1750, married Jerusha Rich- 
ardson and had eleven children, four of whom were born in 
Franklin, the remainder in Sutton. 

William, Jr., born 5th February, 1783, in Franklin, married 
Selah Gushing, and in 1816 migrated to Marietta, O. (See bio- 
graphical sketches.) 

THE THAYER FAMILY 

came into town early in 1800, in the person of Nathaniel, who 
lived at Unionville, and did much to build up that then little 
manufacturing village called " The Street " in connection with 
the Makepeaces and Rockwoods. He had at least five sons of 
like proclivities with himself. 

Asa and Davis formed a partnership in the straw business at 
the Genter, as described in the section on industries. Horace, 
after a season, opened the Franklin Hotel in the Asa Fisher 
house, at the foot of the Gommon. P^isher engaged in thread 
and other business, and accumulated quite a property. Nathan- 
iel, Jr., also removed to the Genter, where some of his family 
still reside. 

Davis, Major, married Betsey, a sister of William Make2>eace. 
A view of his house is given in the section on industries, and a 
portrait of himself is aftixed opposite. Pie had eight children, 
of whom only four reached maturity : Deborah Burrell, born 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 



279 



17th October, 1813 ; married Wilkes Gay, Jr., and died ; Davis, 
Jr., born 24th October, 1815, married Mary M., daughter of 
Joseph Whiting. P^mery, birth not recorded ; married and resided 
in Charleston, S. C, but now resides in Franklin. William M., 
born 24th February, 1820 (see biographical notices) ; his poi'trait 




ItESIDENCE OF DAVIS THAYER, JK. 

is given in the group of the Centennial Conimittee. Betsey Ann, 
born 6th June, 1822, married William E. Whiting. The four 
members of this family live contiguously to the homestead, and 
on the same street. The four residences form a fine addition to 
the village. A view of the residence of Davis Thayer, Jr., is 
given above. 



280 HISTORY OP FRANKLm. 

THE THURSTON FAMILY 

is represented among the precinct petitioners by Daniel, a mem- 
ber of the churcli, 1st March, 1741. Ilis immigrant ancestor 
probably' was John, of Dedliam, who came from England in the 
"Mary Ann," of Yarmouth, in 1637. He was a carpenter, then 
aged 36, and brought his wife Margaret and two children, Thomas 
and John. He had in Dedham, Joseph, Benjamin, Mary, and 
Judith. The children of John, some of them, settled in Medfield, 
whence came, 1, Thomas, of Wrentham. 

1. Thomas married Mehitable. She died in Wrentham 11th 
August, 1692. He died loth December, 1704. His second wife 
Avas Esther. Their children Avere : Mehitable, born 1st August, 
168G; Mary, died young; Ichabod lived twenty da^s and died 
two days before his mother. By second wife he had : David, 
born 20th November, 1693 ; 2, Daniel, born 25th September, 1695 ; 
Luke, born 20th April, 1698 ; Esther, born 21st June, 1700 ; Mary, 
born 3d September, 1702. 

2. Daniel married, 9th February, 1720, Deborah, daughter of 
Ephraim and Deborah (Hawes) Pond. She was an original 
member of the West precinct church. He had five children : 
Deborah, born 21st September, 1720, died 22d October, 1742 ; 3, 
Daniel, born 1st January, 1722 ; Esther, born 28th June, 1723; 
married Seth Jones (?). David, born 6th May, 1726 ; was the 
first pastor of the church in West Medway ; Eleoni, born 19th 
May, 1728 ; married Jonathan Whiting. 

3. Daniel, Jr., married, 13th March, 1743, Elizabeth Whiting; 
was chosen deacon of the West precinct church 3d July, 1754, 
and died 25th June, 1785. She died 16th September, 1806. He 
had thirteen children : Deborah, born 7th February, 1745 ; Molly, 
born 20th July, 1746 ; married Daniel Kingsbury. Unity, born 
7th January, 1748 ; married Seth Daniels. 4, Daniel, Jr., born 
11th September, 1749. 5, Abijah, born 5th July, 1751. Abigail, 
born 6th March, 1754. Chloe, born 25th March, 1758 ; " hanged 
herself" 20th July, 1793. Elizabeth, born 7th February, 1760; 
married Aquilla Robbins, of Wrentham. Caleb, born 9th Feb- 
ruary, 1760 (so in the records). David, born 25th April, 1762. 
Esther, born 25th May, 1764. Lucretia, born 24th March, 1766; 
married Nathan Pond and died in Walpole 1st March, 1824 ; 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 281 

Joseph, born 26tli August, 1769. Of tliis family, except Daniel 
and Abijah, we know nothing further. 

14. Daniel, Jr., married Susanna . He died 7th No- 
vember, 1802. She died 31st December, 1831. They had six 
children recorded : 6, Daniel, born 22d February, 1783; Luke, 
born 5th February, 1785, and married Olive Clark ; Paul, born 
5th February, 1787; Nahum, born 24th January, 1792; Philo, 
born 15th July, 1794, married Julia M., daughter of Joseph Dan- 
iels, and went with his brother Nahum to Union, Me. ; Johnson, 
born 9th November, 1797. 

5. Abijah married Rachel . He " fell dead " 10th July, 

1812. His widow died 21st November, 1826. They had six 
children: Vina, born 30th May, 1775, married Jesse Gilmore ; 
Deborah, born 3d June, 1777, married Jesse Metcalf ; Nancy, 
born 28th May, 1779, married Thaddeus Hastings ; 7, Caleb, born 
20th June, 1781; 8, David, born 20th September, 1784; Julia, 
born 9th November, 1788, married Asa Rockwood. 

6. Daniel married Bathsheba Brintnall of Mansfield, and had 
twelve children, but none, excepting possibly Gilbert Rodney, 
settled in town. He was a boat-builder in South Franklin. The 
rest went West. 

7. Caleb married Louisa . He was Colonel, and for 

3'ears kept an inn upon the Taunton and Worcester stage route 
on the Thurston homestead. He had seven children, all but one 
of whom died in childhood. Abigail Thompson, born 24th 
April, 1817, married David Ely, and left town. 

8. David married Miranda Ellis. He died 25th July, 1811, 
leaving one child, Nancy, born 18th March, 1811. His Avidow 
became the second wife of Jemotis Pond. None of the name 
remains in town. 

THE WARE FAMILY. 

Eleazer, whose name appears among the petitioners, lived in 
West Franklin. His wife was one of the earliest members of the 
church. He was son of Eleazer and Mary, and grandson of John 
and Mary, original settlers of Wrentham. 

1. Jolin and Mary had John, born at Dedham 17th June, 1670 ; 
Eleazer, born at Wrentliam 28th September, 1676 ; and j^robably 
others. 



282 HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 

2. Eleazer and Mary had : 3, Eleazer, Jr., born 11th November, 
1701 ; Jerusha, born 8th January, 1704 ; Daniel, born 2d Novem- 
ber, 1700 ; Mercy, born 2d March, 1708 ; Hezekiah, born 17th 
April, 1711; Jerusha, born 23d June, 1714 ; Mercy, born 15th 
February, 1717; Abial, born 19th August, 1719. 

3. Eleazer, Jr., married Hannah Man 20th May, 1736. He died 
8th July, 1751. They had : Hannah ; Jerusha ; 4, Billy, born 
21st March, 1743; Ziba, born 13th December, 1744; 5, Eli, born 
31st March, 1748 ; Abial. 

4. Billy married Sarah , and had : Amasa, born 12th 

October, 1780 ; Lois, baptized 5th May, 1782 ; and Jerusha. 

5. Eli married Tamar Wight 27th June, 1771 ; and lived near 
Bellingham line. They had : Sarah, Phineas, Margaret, Ilepzi- 
bah, and David. 

Jabez, whose birth is not found in tlie records was, with his 
wife Mary, among the earliest members of the West precinct 
church. Pie had ten children ; among them were : Phineas, 
baptized 29th April, 1750; Amos baptized 30th March, 1760. 
Amos married Rachel Pond and removed to Paxton. He was 
father of Harriet Ware, who was born in Paxton 12th July, 1799, 
and became afterwards a devoted city missionary and the widely- 
known first superintendent of the Children's Home in Providence, 
R. I. She always claimed Franklin as her home. She died 26th 
June, 1847, in her 48th year. 

Phineas, " Lieutenant," married Susa Hawes and had : Clarinda, 
married Macy Adams and removed to Wali)ole, N. H. ; Elvira; 
Warren died young; Alfred, born 30th September, 1787, married 
Ruth , and died soon after; Philander, born 12th Novem- 
ber, 1789. He had two wives, but no surviving children. He 
lived on the homestead. Of this house Dr. Emmons said it was 
the only one he knew large enough for two families. Susan, born 
29th December, 1792, and died 5th March, 1833. Lieutenant 
Ware died 17th January, 1826. His wife died 27th September, 
1877. This branch of the Wares is extinct in town. 

Jesse and Keziah Ware, of another branch, had nine children ; 
of them were Amariah, married Eunice Aldis, and had : Frederick 
Augustus, born 29th June, 1798, married Sarah Morse ; Esther, 
born 8th December, 1800 ; Nathan, 27th December, 1807 ; Eleazer, 
married Sally , and had : Sabin, born 3d July, 1812 ; San- 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 283 

ford, married, but without cliildren, and others. Alfred, birth 
unrecorded, married Jemima Fisher, and had : Emeline, died 
early, and Alfred Fisher. His house is now owned by J. L. Fitz- 
patrick. Samuel, Jr., married Olive Daniels, and had : Olive D., 
who married Fisher Richardson ; Samuel Gilbert, born 8th March, 
1824. The descendants of the once numerous Ware family have 
almost entirely disappeared from town. 

THE WHITING FAMILA'. 

The constant recurrence of the family name confounds all cer- 
tain arrangement in the short time allowed to this genealogical 
chapter. But some one with more leisure may link the follow- 
ing circles together : — 

Joseph, the precinct member, was evidently the son of Samuel 
and Mary, and born 7th December, 1702. He also married a 
Mary, and had eight children, most of whom died in early life. 
Silence, born 14th March, 1731, married Abraham Blake; Abi- 
gail, born 2d November, 1737, married Seth Bacon. No sons 
seem to have reached maturity, and the family was ended. 

In the church is John, the first deacon with Daniel Kingsbury. 
He was the son of John and Mary, original settlers of Wrentham. 
John, Sen., had three children in Wrentham: Nathaniel, born 2d 
February, 1691, married Margaret Man ; Mary, born 14th Octo- 
ber, 1692 ; 2, John, Jr., " deacon," born 16th June, 1695. 

2. Deacon John married Mary Wight, 24th February, 1720. 
He died 13th February, 1755. They had six children : Mary 
and John died young; Elizabeth, born 18th November, 1724, 
married Daniel Thurston ; Abigail, born 5th October, 1728 ; 3, 
Asa, born 8th June, 1731; Esther, born 25th February, 1736. 

3. Asa married Elizabeth Fisher, 25th June, 1756. He died 
22d December, 1794. She died 16th July, 1820. They had 
seven children : 4, Asa, born 4th September, 1757 ; Thaddeus, 
baptized in Franklin 24th May, 1761 ; Elizabeth, baptized same 
date, married William Adams ; Charlotte married John Whiting 
of Medway ; Hannah married Timothy Fisher, Jr. ; 5, Joseph 
baptized 1769 ; John ; Nathan. 

4. Asa, Jr., married Mary Gilmore 11th April, 1777, and had : 
Salla ; Sydney, born 18th March, 1786, married Olive Morse and 
had seven children ; Rebecca McLane ; Hannah. 



284 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

5. Joseph married Polly Page of Walpole, 19th November, 
1793. They had : Asa, Jr., born 22d September, 1795, married 
Betsey W. Boyd ; Polly ; 6, Josejih, 2d, born 22d April, 1798 ; 
Jairns, born 12th March, 1800, married Mary Cheney; Sally P., 
born 19th March, 1802, married Joseph F. Gilmore ; Lucy; 
Eliza. 

6. Joseph, 2d, married Zeolide , and had : Mary Maria, 

married Davis Thayer, Jr. ; William Eustis, married Betsey A. 
Thayer; Zeolide Elizabeth. 

Another Franklin family, and yet probably not another, was 
that of Jonathan and Elonai (Thurston) Whiting. They had; 
Mary, baptized in Franklin 11th August, 1751; Thurston (see 
biographical sketches); John, born 5th January, 1755 ; Jonathan, 
born 9th April, 1757; Abijah (see biographical sketches). Noth- 
ing further appears of this line, 

Joseph, Jr., was apparently' of a different descent. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth, and had: Cornelius, born 13th April, 1756; and, 
we think, 1, Joseph, 2d, who married Ruth Bacon ; as also, it 
may be, 2, Peter, as I meet with no more likely ancestry. 
Joseph, Jr., was also deacon, chosen 21st July, 1779, and died 7th 
November, 1826. Peter, presumably his son, was chosen deacon 
14th September, 1803, and died 9th December, 1805. 

1. Joseph, 2d, married Ruth Bacon 14th January, 1801, and 
had : Ruth Adams, born 22d January, 1802 ; Daniel Peter, born 
4th March, 1807; Joseph Milton, born 25th February, 1813. 

2. Dea. Peter mai*ried Lydia Blake 14th December, 1769. 
No record of his children is found, but there evidently was a 
Peter, Jr., who married Anna Sayles 12th October, 1803, and 
had: Abigail, born 23d Jidy, 1804; Joseph Blake, born 14th 
September, 1807; Peter, 3, born 1st June, 1809 ; Lydia Blake, 
born 9th March, 1812; 3, Willard Clark, born 7th September, 
1815; Deacon of South Franklin chm'ch ; married, first, Char- 
lotte Miller ; second, Olivia Whiting, of Wrentham. 

3. Willard C. married, first, Charlotte Miller, second Olivia 
Whiting of Wrentham. He is the deacon and substantial 
member of the church in South Franklin. 

THE WOODWARD FAMILY 

came into the West precinct in 1756, and built the house on the 
farm in South Franklin, which was burned in 1874. The first 



GENEALOGICAL NOTICES. 285 

comer was Joseph, of Norton, born July, 1729, and the son of 
Israel, of Taunton, born in 1698, and grandson of Israel, the son 
of Israel and Jane (Godfrey), born 4th October, 1674. 

1. Joseph, the first comer, entered the Continental army, but 
died suddenly in service, in 1778. His body was buried in 
Franklin cemetery in the year of the town's incorporation, 
where his epitaph speaks well for his devotion. He had four 
children : Nathan, born February, 1758, married, but left no 
children ; he was in the Revolutionary war six months ; he died 
29th February, 1836. 2, James, born July, 1761 ; Hannah, not 
married ; Rachel, married Abel Ellis, of Sutton. 

2. James married Lois Ellis 16th December, 1783 ; he died 
7th June, 1811. He had ten children : Elvira, born 10th 
October, 1786 ; Joseph, born 31st July, 1788 ; Elizabeth, born 
20th June, 1790 ; 3, Austin, born 21st May, 1792; Harvey, born 
17th September, 1794; Almira; Lucretia, now in Rockville, 
Medway ; Alfred, living in Norfolk ; Fanny, born 7th November, 
1806 ; Preston, born 19th August, 1808. 

3. Austin married Mary Anne Voax ; he died in 1872, aged 
80 years. He had ten children ; of these four are dead and 
two only remain in town — Amos P. and Joseph A., the present 
efticient postmaster. 

THE WILSON FAMILY. 

Of these brief sojourners we have only these few notes: — 

1. Michael married Mary , and had six children. He 

died 31st May, 1731. His wife died 16th May, 1738 : Sara, born 
18th February, 1675 ; Mary, born 16th February, 1677 ; 2, Mi- 
chael, Jr., born 6th February, 1681 ; Silence, died young ; Noah, 
born 4th September, 1686; Henry, born 9th April, 1690. 

2. Michael, Jr., married Sarah Bumpas, of Taunton, 13th June, 
1707. He bought and settled on what was the recent Plupi)s 
farm. He had four children : Mary, born 25th July, 1713 ; mar- 
ried Joshua Daniels. 3, Uriah, born 14th November, 1712. 
Beulah, born 15th May, 1715; married John Peck. 4, Lemuel, 
born 12th June, 1717. 

3. Uriah married Mary Guild 23d March, 1737, and had six 
children : Sarah, born 9th June, 1739 ; Betty, born 19th March, 



286 HISTORY OP FRANKLIN. 

1741 ; Joseph, baptized 21st April, 1745 ; Deborah, died young ; 
David, born 12th April, 1748; Jerusha, born 9th June, 1751. 

4. Lemuel married Rebecca, and had five children: Benjamin, 
born 17th July, 1746; Phebe and Zebiali, died young; Hermon, 
baptized 10th June, 1753 ; Rebecca, baptized 29th September, 
1756. She was the latest lingerer in town. 

Michael, Jr., and Uriah were sextons of the old First church 
from 1738 to 1750. 

This family is slightly out of the alphabetical order, but since 
its successive heads faithfully held the keys of the meeting-house 
for two generations, we trust the misarrangement will be excused, 
for who but the sexton should so properly go out last and lock 
up these glimpses of the old and long-ago departed congregations ? 



THE END. 



GENERAL INDEX. 



PAGE. 

INTRODUCTION 3 

CENTENNIAL ADDRESS 5 

ADDENDA 61 

Biographical Sketches 139 

Centennial Celebration 195 

Family Genealogies 224 



PAGE. 

Act of Incorporation 41 

Bacon, Rev. Jacob 22 

Baptist Church 99 

Barnum, Rev. Caleb 33, 83 

Bellingliam set off 21 

Blake, Philip, notice of 124 

Biographical Sketches 139 

Adams, G. A., Esq 139 

Adams, Rev. J 140 

Allen, Prof. A. S 140 

Allen. B. F 141 

Aldis, Judge A 141 

Atwood, Dr. J. F 145 

Bacon, H 145 

Baker, Rev. Dr. A. R 14fi 

Baker, D.E 147 

Blake, Rev. Dr. M 147 

Chapman, Rev. N 148 

Clark, Dr. G 148 

Cushing, Rev. J. R 148 

Daniels, Rev. H. M 148 

Daniels, Rev. W. H 149 

Daniels, W. G 149 

Dean, Dr. 150 

DeWitt, Hon. A 150 

Dyer, Rev. N. T 151 

Emmons, Judge W 151 

Fairbanks, E., Esq 152 

Farr, T. P 152 

Fisher, Prof. A. M 152 

Fisher, Rev. C. R 154 

Fisher, Hon. G 156 

Fisher, Rev. G 156 

Fisher, Hon. J 157 

Fisher, L. W., Esq 157 

Fisher, Hon. M. M 158 

Fletcher, A. B 158 

Gilmore, J. R 159 

Harding, Dr. E 159 

Harris, Rev. Dr. W 160 

Haven, Rev. T 160 

Hawes, Rev. A 160 



PAGE. 

Biographical Sketches (cont.). 

Hawes, P., Esq 161 

Heaton, Rev. I. E 161 

Hixon, Rev. A 161 

Hooper, Rev. W 162 

Horton, Rev. Dr. S. J 162 

Hunt, Rev. S 88, 163 

Ide, Rev. Dr. J 163 

Kidder, Rev. T 163 

Kingsbury, Rev. S 164 

Kingsbury, Dr. S. A 164 

Leonard, Rev. H. P 164 

Sethbridge, Dr. F 165 

Mann, Hon. H 165 

McFarland, H., Esq 168 

Metcalf , A 168 

Metcalf, A., Esq 168 

Metcalf, Dr. E 169 

Metcalf, E 169 

Metcalf, Dr. F 171 

Metcalf, Dr. J 171 

Metcalf, Dr. J. G 171 

Metcalf, Dr. P 172 

Metcalf, Judge T 172 

Metcalf, Dr. W. P 173 

Metcalf, Dr. W. W 173 

Miller, Dr. E. D 174 

Miller, Dr. L. L 174 

Miller, Dr. N 174 

Pennell, Prof. C. S 175 

Phipps, Rev, G. G 177 

Phipps, Rev. W 176 

Pond, Dr. B 177 

Pond, Rev. D 178 

Pond, Dr. E 178 

Pond, Dr. E. A 178 

Pond,G.C 179 

Pond, Dr. M. E 179 

Pond, S. M., Esq 179 

Pond, T 179 

Pratt, Dr. J. L. S 179 

Pratt, S. A., Esq 180 



288 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. 



PAOK. 

Biographical Sketches (cont.). 

Preston, Rev. J. B 180 

Ray, Miss L. P 181 

Ray, W. F 181 

Richardson, A. D 181 

Richardson, Rev. A. M 182 

Richardson, C. A 183 

Ricliardson, Dr. E 183 

Rich.ardson, Prof. H. B 183 

Richardson, Rev. W. T 184 

Robinson, Rev. E. W 184 

Rockwood, P. E., Esq 18.5 

Rockwood, L. P., Esq 185 

Russej^ue, Dr. H 18.5 

Sayles, G. L., Esq 185 

Sayles, H. L., Esq 185 

Sayles, L., Esq 185 

Slocuin, W 18G 

Smalley, G. W 18(5 

Tenney, Dr. J. W 187 

Thayer, Dr. C. H 187 

Thayer, Rev. W. M 188 

Thompson, Rev. E 18<t 

Wheaton, Rev. J 189 

Whiting, A., Esq 189 

Whiting, N., Esq 190 

Whiting, Rev. S 190 

Whiting, Rev. T 190 

Wilder, Hon. M. P 190 

Winslow, C 192 

Burying-grounds 63 

Catalogue of Franklin's Donation. 70 

Catechisings, Annual 74 

Catholic churcli 95, 100 

Centennial Celebration 195 

Center of the town surveyed 28, 54 

Citizen soldiery 135 

Civil history 62 

Common, purchase of 65 

Congregational church 80 

Continental soldiers 123 

Continental money 53 

Council on hymn-books 35, 82 

Cow-common rights 73 

Daniels, notice of Fisher 239 

Dean Academy 77 

Dedham, settlement of 8 

Ecclesiastical History 80 

Emmons, Rev. Dr. N 37, 84 

Emmons monument 64 

Exeter, first name of Franklin 43 

Felting business 113 

First settlers of Wrentham 13 

Fisher, notice of Willis 246 

Franklin Academy 76 

Census of 62 

Church organized 26 

Earliest settlers 25 

First mill in 110 

First preaching 22 

First town-meeting 52 

Incorporation as Precinct 23 

Incorporation as Town 41 

Industries of 110 

Name of 43 



page. 
Franklin (continued). 

Petitioners for Precinct 25 

Petitioners for Town 40 

Topography of 61 

Why so named 43 

Genealogical Notices 224 

Adams Family 228 

Allen Family 231 

Bacon Family 231 

Baker Family 2.32 

Blake Family 234 

Clark Family 2.36 

Daniels Family 238 

Darling Family 240 

Fairhank Family 240 

Fisher Family 241 

Fitzpatrick Family .249 

Gay Family 249 

Greene Family 251 

Hall Family 231 

Hawes Family 251 

Hills Family 254 

Jones Family 255 

Kingsbury Family 256 

Lawrence Family 2.57 

Makepeace Family 258 

Mann Family 258 

Metcalf Family 259 

Miller Family 262 

Morse Family 263 

Newe Family 264 

Partridge Family 264 

Pond Family 265 

Ray Family 273 

Richardson Family 273 

Rockwood Family 276 

Shuttleworth Family 277 

Slocum Family 278 

Thayer Family 278 

Thurston Family 280 

Ware Family 281 

Whiting Family 283 

Woodward Family 284 

Wilson Family 285 

Gowen, John, notice of 124 

Grace church (Universalist) 97 

Grant of Territory 8 

Haven, Rev. Elias 26, 80 

Horse sheds 29 

Hunt, Rev. Samuel 88 

Hymn-book war 34, 82 

Indian deeds 15 

Indian Rock encounter 17 

Indian Rock celebration 18 

Industrial statistics 110 

Industrial statistics for 1875 114 

Instructions to Representatives in 

1776 48 

Keene, Rev. Luther 89 

Lands purchased 6, 13, 15 

Lawyers in town 192 

Library, donation of 44, 69 

Library, public 72 

Man, Rev. Hezekiah 22 

Man, Rev. Samuel 16, 20 



INDEX. 



289 



PAGE. 

Maps of the town (57 

McLane's execution 125 

Meeting-house, First 26, 27 

Meeting-house, Second 37, 54, 90 

Meeting-liouse, inside view 55 

Meeting-house, Third 95 

Messenger, Rev. Henry 20 

Methodist church 102 

Military history 119 

Ministerial fund lOi 

Minute-men of 1775 120 

Museum of relics 222 

Muster day on the Common 136 

Nason, notice of Geo. \V 237 

Newspapers in town 114 

Newton, notice of John 124 

Old way of singing 30 

Pelton, Rev. Geo. A 89 

Physicians in town 192 

Pond, David's singing trouble 31 

Pond, Elihu, notice of 123 

Poor and poor-house 40, 69 

Post-office, history of 79 

Precinct, first moves for 21, 23 

Printing-press, first 161 

Public morals 107 

Public officers, lists of 115 

Rebellion record 129 

Rebellion, town action 126 

Representatives instructed 48 

Representatives, list of 118 

Revolutionary soldiers 123 

Revolutionary war 50 

Sabbath breaking 109 

Sarah Indian 14 



PAGE. 

Saw-miU, first no 

School Committee, list of 117 

School, first in Wrentham 20 

School Districts 75 

School, High 77 

Schools, Public 21, 72 

Shoe business II4 

Singing, old way of 30 

Smalley, Rev. Elam 87 

" Society for Reform, of Morals ". .107 

South Congregational church 96 

Southworth, Rev. T. D 87 

Stamp Act, resolves on 46 

Standing in the porches 108 

Straw-bonnet manufacture 112 

Swedenborgian meeting 104 

Temperance reform 109 

Tithing-men 107 

Title to the soil 6, 13, 15 

Topography of Franklin 61 

Town industries 110 

Valuations from 1786 115 

Volunteers against the Rebellion.. .129 

Votes on political issues 68 

Ware, notice of Harriet 282 

War of 1812 126 

War of the Rebellion 127 

War of the Revolution 51 

Whittaker, L. R., notice of 127 

Wollomonopoag settled 11 

Wollomonopoag purchased 13 

Wrentham burnt 17 

Wrentham, first school-house 20 

Wrentham incorporated 16 

Wrentham re-settled 17 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE. 

Portrait of Rev. M. Blake, D. D frontispiece. 

Maps of Ancient Wrentliam and Franklin Opposite 67 

View of Dean Academy " 78 

Portrait of Rev. N. Emmons, D. D " 84 

View of Dr. Emmons' house " 8G 

View of Old Meeting-house 92 

View of New Congregational Church Opposite 96 

View of Grace Church ( Universalist) 98 

View of Baptist Church 100 

View of Catholic Church 101 

View of Methodist Church 103 

View of Major Davis Thayer's Store and House Opposite 113 

View of the Ray Block " 114 

View of Fletcher's Block " 116 

View of Aldis' House and Store 146 

Portrait of Dr. O. Dean Opposite 150 

Portrait of Hon. George Fisher " 156 

Portrait of Hon. M. M. Fisher " 158 

Portrait of Rev. S. J. Horton, D. D " 162 

Portrait of Hon. Horace Mann " 166 

Portrait of Dr, E. D. Miller " 174 

Portrait of Dr. L. L. Miller " 175 

Portrait of Dr. N. Miller " 176 

Residences of Messrs. J. P. & J. R. Ray " 181 

Portrait of Hon. M. P. Wilder " 190 

View of the Miller Hospital " 193 

Portraits of Centennial Committee (two plates) " 195 

View of the Baker Homestead " 233 

Portrait of Capt. D. Baker " 234 

Portrait of G. W. Nason " 237 

View of F. Daniel's Homestead " 239 

Portrait of Fisher Daniels " 240 

Autograph of Hon. J. Fisher 242 

Coat of Arms of Fisher Family 243 

Portrait of Willis Fisher, Esq Opposite 246 

Residence of J. L Fitzpatrick 249 

Residence of H. M. Greene, Esq 250 

View of the Hawes Homestead 252 

View of the Alfred Knapp Homestead 253 

Birthplace of Hon. Horace Mann Opposite 258 

Portrait of W. Makepeace, Esq " 259 

View of Nathan Metcalf Homestead " 261 

View of Dr. Miller Homestead " 262 

Portrait of J. G. Ray " 272 

Residence of S.W.Richardson " 274 

Portrait of S. W. Richardson " 276 

View of the Makepeace Homestead " 277 

Portrait of Maj. D. Thayer " 278 

Residence of D. Thayer, Jr 279 



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